CONTENTS

Pre-GondTertiaryQuaternaryLowerMesozoicIntroductionFieldDeputation/Training/StudyResearchAbstractsTrainingPapersHonoursLibraryTheTechnicalFounder'sPublicationsMuseumVisitorsSponsoredTheRepresentationHerbariumTheBuilding WorkGondwanas Governing Staff wanas PublishedBudget and andprovided of AssistanceDay Theses CollaborativeLectures Awards for Body on to1969·70 Committees/Boards outsiders. to and presented outsiders. AbroadTheResearch Finance at Symposia/ Committee 60613055584163626557365953454648546821 Page XVIIIXXIIXVIIXIVXIIIXVIVIIIXIXXXIXIIVIIXXXVIXXIVIXVI IV4.3.2.5. II Papers1. published by the staff III Conferences! Meetings etc.

I. INTRODUCTION

Under the inspiring guidance of Professor Birbal Sahni, F. R. S. a Palaeobotanical Society was founded at Lucknow in May 1946 and registered under the Societies Rt:ginration Act (XXI of 1860) in June 1946. By a resolution passed on 10th September 1946 the Gove, ning Body of the Palaeobotanical Society established an Institute of Palaeobotany and appointed Professor Sahni as its first Director in an honorary capacity. Pending the acquisition of a permanent home the work of the Institute was carried on in the Department of Botany at the University of Lucknow.

In September 1948 the Institute received from the Government of Uttar Pradesh the generous gift of an estate comprising a large bungalow on 3t acres of land at 53 University Road, Lucknow. Soon plans were made for erecting a lIew modeIt'n building for the Institute. On 3rd April 1949 its foundation 5tolle w 1S laid by Pandit Jawaharlal N hru who. besides being the Prime Minister of , was at that time also the Minister of Scientific Research and Natural Resources.

Wi,hin a week of this ceremony the young Institute suffered an irreparable Joss in the sudden and untimely passing away of its Founder Director, Professor Birbal Sahni. The most apt tribute was paid to him when in OCLOber 19-!-9 the Governing Body of the Palaeobotanical Society named the Institute after him as the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany.

Subsequent to Professor Sahni's sudden passing away, on 11th April 1949 the Govrrning Body of the Palaeobotanical Society au tho• rised his wife, Mrs. Savitri Sahni, to discharge all the duties of the Director of the {nstitu'e in addition to her own duties as the President of the Society. In May 1950 Dr. R. V. Sitholey. Assistant Director was appointed as Officer-in-charge for carrying out the current duties of the Director under the supervIsIon of the Presiden t. In 1951 the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) included the Institute in its Technical Assistance Pro• gramme, under which Professor O. A. H¢eg of the University of Oslo, Norway, served as its Director from October 1951 to the beginning of August 1953. A short time after Professor H¢eg's departure, Dr. K. R. Surange was made the Officer-in-charge under the supervision of the President, Governing Body of the Palaeobotanical Society. In October 1959 Mrs. Savitri Sahni, in addition to being the President of the Society also became the President of the Institute and was incharge of the administration. At the same time Dr. Surange was appointed as Director having charge of academic and research activities.

At the end of 1967 it was felt that a stage had come when the Pal• aeobotanical Society should function purely as a professional scientific body and Institute as a separate institution. A new constitution was framed under which the Birbal Sahni 1nstitute of Palaeobotany was re• gistered as a separate body on 9th July 1969. In November 1969 the Palaebotanial Society transferred and delivered possession of the Insti• tute to this new body whereby the 13irbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobo• tany came under the management of a new Governing Body with Professor T. S. Sadasivan of the University of Madras as its Chairman.

The present report pertains to the year the Institute started as an independent institution and covers its activities from April 1969 to March 1970.

II. RESEARCH

1. PRE-GONDWANA

1.1 Microfossils from Rampura .•. Leio,phaeridia, Pr%leiosphaeridium, Retisph, ridium, 7asmaniles and an algal remain Gloeocapsomorpha were recorded belonging to the Kaimur Series (Vindhyans) . Age of the Vindhyans h

2 1.2 Devonian sporeS

A rich assemblage of Acritarchs and spores has been recorded for the first time from palynological samples ranging from Silurian to Devonian deposits.

2. LOWER GONDWANAS

2.1 Glossopteris flora-morphological and stratigraphical studies.

2.1.1 Valley

Handappa, Orissa

Some new male and female fructifications referable to the Glos• sopteridales have been recorded. The male fructifications are Glossotheca utkalensis gen. et sp. nov., Eretmonia utkalensis sp. nov., E. hinjridaensis sp. novo and E. karanpurensis sp. novo In Glossotheca naked sporangia in aggregates are borne on ultimate branch!ets and six of the aggregates are carried on a common pedicel attached to the stalk of a fertile leaf. In all the three species of Eretmonia the sporangial clusters are only two in number. The female fructification Lidgeltonia indica carried stalked, naked ovules on 'he futile leaf stalk. Morphology of female fructifica• tions Scutum and Cistella is explained Scutum is a compact cone, with ovules carried on a small, thin scale leaves. In Cistella the ovules are devoid of scales and they are perhaps embedded on a mulbery like fleshy head of the cone. It is concluded that southern hemisphere Glossopteridales is a group of extinct gymnosperms; although showing remote relationship with Pteridosperms, distinct enough to stand on its own as a separate group. The variety of reproductive organs show that in Glossopteridales we are perhaps dealing with more than one order.

2.1.2 South Karanpura

Four species of Gangamopteris and some species of Glossopteris have been recorded from a shale bed about 70 feet above Argada (S' Seam. The dominance of Gangamopteris indicates the Karharbari age. Twelve species of Glossopteris, out of which three are new, have been described 3 from tbe sbales of Argada Seam, Lower Nakkari Seam and Upper Nakkari Seam. Glossopteris fusa sp. novo is di~tinguished by the evanescent nature of midrib and closely spaced elongate meshes of equal size. G. pftiolala sp. novo is distinguished 1::y a petiolate lec.f and closely spactci, more or le"s straight secondary veins which form narrow palygonal meshes. G. haranpurensis sp. novo is distinguished by its large sizE', arched secondary veim which run straight to the margin and form open hexagonal meshes of equal size.

The study of a large number of impressions of Sphellopter;'s fronds from the farakar stage reveals that Sphenopteris pol)"morpho Feistrn.) 1881 and S. hlighesi Arher, 1905 are homonyms. S. poi.Jmorpha is emended and retained on the basis of nomenclatural priority.

2.1.3 Rajmahal Hills

Some megafossils from the Bansloi valley have been recorded from localities mapped by BaJJ as ,be Dubrajpurs. Tbe Dubrajpur group had earlier been either included in the Lower Gondwanas or equated with the ?\lahadevas. Sandstone and shale beds overlying the Lower Gondwana and referred to as the Dubrajpur have yielded plant f('lssils characteristic of the RajrndhaI Intertrappean Series. Hence it has been suggested that the name Dubrajpur be replaced by Intertrappean Raj. mahal beds for beds overlying the Lower Gondwana sedim~nts. Beds, hitherto mapped as Dubrajpurs and 1I0W shown to contain Glossopteris and Vuttbraria should be included in the Lower Gondwanas.

2.1.4 Si"grauli Coalfied

A new genus, viz., Alatocarpus is instituted to contain certain large platyspermic ~eeds. The species Samaropsis jcJ,zlim.is Saksena, 1955 from the South Rewa basin is also transferred to A/atocmpus. The Singrauli material contains A. indicus sp. novo (the typP species) some specimens comparable to A. (Sama,op.Jis) johillensis (Saksena) comb. nov,) and

A/aIJcQ!pUS sp. 11. i;) suggesled that Samaropsis piTICtjmbti \\'alkorn, 1928 may also belong to A/alocarpus. The occurrence of the seeds and associ• ated plants on the age of the beds is briefly discussed.

2.1.5

Tbe wood genera Barakaroxylon Surange and Mai,by, 1962 and lrzdox)/on Surange and :t\1aithy, 1963 are merged as the central and the

4 ) peripheral secretory canals, which distinguish these two genera, have been found in one and the same specimen. On the basis of priority the genus Barakarox)'lo'l has been retained. A new species Baraka7oxylolf monocanalosum has been instituted. It is characteris~d by the prr'sence of a single, central canal in the pith as opposed to B. }hariense which is characterised by a central canal and a number of peripheral canals.

2.1.6

Four new species of fossil plants, viz , Gangamopteris oblancaolata sp. novo Euryphyllum olJovalum sp. nov., Dolianilia karharbJrensis sp. novo Buriadia /lorinii sp. novo have been recorded from the Karharbari beds of the Giridih Coalfield.

2.2 Sporae Dispersae

2.2.1 South Karanpura

A systematic study of two miospore assemblages, one is from the shales associated with the Argada 'S' Seam, and the other is from another shale about 70 feet above the Argada IS' Seam, indicates that both the assemblages are palynologically more closely related to the Karharbari stage.

2.2.2 Johilla Coalfi'd

A miospore assemblage containing 23 genera and 42 species from the Ganjra NalJa bt.ds is described. The genera Rugasaccites, Pach)saceus, Gondwanopollis and Rimospora are newly instituted. The stratigraphical position of the Ganjra Nalla beds is discussed in the light of the plant micro-and macrofossil evidences.

2.2.3 Dallongall) Coalfield

On the basis of plant mt=gafo~siJs and the miospores recovered from the coal bearing beds the stratigraphical tosition of these beds in the Lower Gondwana succe~sion is discussed.

2.2.4 Jayanti Coalfield

Miospore assemblages have been recorded for the first time from the matrix of two intercalated Talchir Boulder Beds. Virkkipolleni es, Plicatipollenilts, Parasaccites, Caheniasaccius, Vesligisporilrs, Potonieisporiles 5 and Limilispo'iles are predominant. The distribution pattern of the miospores in the two boulder beds has been studied and comparisons made with the known equivalent assemblagp~. The bio.stratigraphical and palaeobotanical significance of the findings have been discussed brieRy.

2.2.5 South Rewa Gondwana basin

Stratigraphical geology and palaeobotany of the Lower Gondwana sediments exposed at Umaria, Birsinghpur, Pali, Annuppur, Manendra· garh and Chirimiri areas is described in detail. The palynological assemblage, besides spores and pollens, includes megaspores and Acritarchs. The spore pollen assemblages have yielded 81 species assignable to 50 genera. Of these 2 ger.era (Sakseneasporitts and Talchirittilttes) and 41 species are new. The Acritarch assemblage from the Umaria Marine Bed is a significant find and includes, in addition to four known genera, one new genus Fov·oliles and eight new species. The data collected from both organic and inorganic sediments have been collated both quaiitatively and quantitatively. Field observations indicate that the Umaria l\.1arine Bed represents an Upper Talchir transgression whi!e the rvlo:henclragarh l\Iarine Bed represents a Lower Talchir Transgression. The palynological and palaeobotallical evidence£ confirm the conc'uiion already drawn f, om field evidences that the Talchirs within the South Rewa Gondwana Basin are correIa table and that ~uch correlation can be extended to other Lower Gondwana Basins of Peninsular India.

Biostratigraphical studies clearly indicate that all the Coal Nleasure strata of the South Rewa Gondwana Basin, earlier assigned to the Barakar Slagf", are in fact related to the Karharbari Stage, and have been now so assigned. Thus, it is clear that that the lithological recognition of the Karharbaris or Barakars in the South Rewa Gondwana Basin is not reliable. Palynological evidence, favours the inclusion of the Karharbaris within the Talchir Series.

2.2.6 Godavari basin

From the Sporat dispersae of some Lower Gondwana coals of Godavari Basin, five new miospore genera bearing hitherto undescribed association of morphographic characters have been instituted. Two of

( 6 ) them, viz., Godavflrisporitfs, and LobatisporiteJ' are trilete, Kingiacolpites is a monolete and Gondisphaeridium and GlobulaeJphatridium are alete genera.

2.2.7 Lower Gondwana megaspores

The taxonomy and stratigraphic distribution of dispersed mega• spores in the Lower Gondwana Formations (Permian) of India have been worked out. The morphographic delimitation of different genera and species has been based on the extensive and intensive study of megaspores from different bao;ins in [ndia. These data are supple. mented by the hilheno known account of megaspores from other Gondwana continents. A large number of specimens have been studied in reflected as well as transmitted light and it has been found necessary to base the taxonomy of ,he genera on the characters studied by both the methods. For the study under transmitted light many specimens were progre,sively overmacerated controlling it for careful study at various stages until the inner body was liberated.

It has been found that the nature of exine ornamentation, the nature and extent of trilete ridge in relation to the contact area, and the nature as well as the presence or absence of cushions on the inner body are important characters in taxonomy. On these lines, thirteen genera and forty species have been recognized, out of which six genera and eighteen species are new. The distribution of the genera and species of megaspores in Indian basins and stratigraphic horizor,s haf been given.

2.2.8 Permo· Triassic boundary in , W. Bengal

In Raniganj coalfield sediments of the Raniganj Stage (Permian) appear to be conformably overlain by the Panchet secliments (Triassic). Palynological investigations of a large number of sub-surface and surface samplrs disclose a sharp change in the spore and pollen assem· blages across the Raniganj-Panchet boundary. The Raniganj assemblage is dominated by striate·bisaccate forms like Strotersporit,s, Striatopiceitfs, Striatites, etc, while trilete and monolete types occupy a secondary positio·n. The Pal.chet assemblage on the other hand is dominated by trilete genera like DecisporiJ, Diva'ipunctites, DiClJphyliidilesl etc. while striate bisaccates have become rare.

7 The sharp change seen in the palynological assemblages across Raniganj-Panchet boundary in this area apparently reflects both evolutionary and environmental changes.

2.2.9 Cycado·Ginkgopsid Polltn

The Cycado-Ginkgopsid pollen grains are generally monosaccate and monocolpate. They occur in Cycadales, Bennellitales. Pentoxylae, Ginkgoales, Welwitschiales and Gnetales. Development of pollen grains in C)'cas circinalisJ Ctralo~ami/~sl Macrozarnial Ginkgo and Gnelurn has been studied. Some fossil members are known to have produced trilete bearing non-saccate pollen grains.

It has been concluded that there are two different kinds of organi• zation in Cycado-Ginkgopsid pollen grains :-

I Monocolpates (I) Cycadalean type-Circuloid in polar view; with colpus well demarcated or ill defined.

(2) Bennettitalean type-spindloid in polar view with colpus well demarcated or incipient. II Triletes

There is evidence of progressive reduction in the extent and differentiation of the colpu'i from primitive to evolved classes of plants.

2.2.10 Comlolion Sludits-

This includes a sporological study of 53 b-)re hole coal samples from BhaskarparaJ Kutkona and Batura blocks of Sohagpur coalfield, M. P., India. The distribution of various palyno-taxa among the samples has suggested the occurrence of eight coal seams distinguished by eight spore assemblages. !\1iospore Assemblage G is characterised by the dominance of Breoilrileles and Slilralisporiles. The Assemblage F sho\\.Sa dominance of Brevilrilelu closely associated with .L-licrobaculispora and IndolriradileJ. The last genu:; becomes dominant in Assemblage El with the former two as subdominants. Brevitriletes again ranks highest in A~semblage D and is associated with Sulca&isporites. In Assemblage C Brevilriletts continues to be dominant but the association is marked by the subdominance of Horriditnletes and Slilcat'sporifes while in Assemblage B Horridit,iletes becomes the most dominant genus and remains associated with BrevitrilelfS and Su/carispori(es. Assemblage A is

( 8 characterised by the dominance of Sulcatisporites In association with Siliatopodocarpites and Striatites.

The sporologica] succession is marked by three miofloral changes seggregating four groups of assemblages. Chronostratigraphically, Assemblage G belongs to lower Karharbari Stage. Assemblages F-E represent Lower Barakar Stage, Assemblages D·B represent Middle Barakar Stage and Assemblage A represents the Upper Barakar Stage.

2.2.11 Argada 'S' Seam, S Karanpura The miospore assemblage from the coal of Argada '5' seam, Suuth Karanpura Coalfield has been described and compared with similar mio/l')ras of the olher coalfields of Indian Lower Gondwanas. This miospore assemblage closely resembles the mioftora of the shale associated with Argada '5' seam. In view of the mioflora from the shale band 70~above the Argada '5' seam being similar to the mioflora of the Giridih coalfield, the type area for the Karharbari Stage, Argada 'S'seam has been considered older than the Karharbari Stage of Giridih Coalfield. Howe\'er, in view of striking difference between the mioflora of Argada '5' seam and that of the Talchir Stage, it is suggested that Argada 'S' seam should be considered as a part of Karharbari Stage and as compared to the Karharbari Stage in the Giridih Coalfield, it should be recognised as Lower Karharbari Stage.

2.2.12 Palynostratigraphy Studies-Lower GOTldwanasuccession

A critical analysis of all the available palynological data from coals and shales belonging to various stratigraphical subdivisions of the Lower Gondwana System has revea'cd the occurrence c..f ]2 distinguishable assemblages in succession. In the Talchir stage only one a5semblage is known so far, in the Karharbari stage two have been recogni~ed and for the Barakar, Barren r..1easures and Raniganj stages thr~e assemblages each have been substantiated. 2 3 Petrological studies of Coals

2.3.1 Coals expoud nea, Gopalprasad, Talchir Coalfield

The coal samples collected from the exposed beds of Gopalpr2Sad have been studied since no previous knowledge exists about microstruc-

9 ture and relevant details of this coal. Coals are typically dull, fine grained and hard in nature. They are constituted by Vitrinite, Exinite, Intertinite macerals and sedimentary mineral matter. Among those Inertinite and mineral grains dominate the coal constitution. Rapid alternating bands of Durite and Carbargillite and increasing high percentage of mineral mailer makes the coal more dull and shaly.

Sporological analysis reveals that the coal consi,t of 20 genera including a number of tril~te, monolete, monosaccate and disaccate spores. The miospore assemblage dominates in striated disaccate pollen, e.g., Faunipollenitet, Striatopodocarpites, Lahirites and Striatites. Trilete miospores are less common, while monosaccates are rare. Non-striated monosaccate genus is Sulcatisporites.

Petro-palynologically, compared with the Lower Seam and Upper Seam No. I of Talchir Coalfield and others, the coals are of poor quality. They are probably of Upper Barakar age.

2.3.2 Genesis.f Talchir Coals

Palyno-petrological studies on the coals of Talchir Coalfield have distinguished three different types of coal formation. Among the three assemblages based on palyno-fossiIs: Assemblage-A is characterised by the dominance of Brevitri["tts followed by Faunipollenites and Sul&a• tisporittsJ' Assemblage-B contains Cyclogranisporites as the most domi• nant genus, and Assemblage-C is distinguished by sporadic occurrence of Faunipollenites clo,ely followed by Stria/opodocarpites and Sulcalisp.rittS. On the basis of the distribution of various macerals among the above coals, likewise, three distinct coal types have been recognised. Coal Type-l !s chiefly a mixed Durain coal and comprises mostly of trimaceral group, Coal Type-2 is a typical fine grained Durain with high incidence of semifusinite while Coal Type-3 is chiefly a shaly ..•.. Durain containing high amount of mineral matter.

2.3,3 Microscopic study if Ranigan} Coals Coal samples from Poniati, Dishergarh, Samla, Narainkuri and Nega seams (top and bottom) from Raniganj Coalfied were examined microscopically to know the phy:>ical composition and nature of the coal seams. The study reveals that the coals are banded component

10 types derived from heterogenous phytoorganic material. Lignogene (Vitrinite) constituents derived from lignified cell walls are conspicuou! microcomponents of the coals. Liptogene (Liptinite) constituents derived from pollen and spore coat, plant cuticles and fossil resin. form secondary proportions in the coal composition.

2.3.4 PhYji:al constitution of Indian Lower Gondwana Coal Seams

The vast majority of Lower Gondwana coal seams investigated reveal microfragmental character of organic matter rich in Durain and Duroclarain types with few thin Vitrain bands. They are charac• terised bv fine state of m3ceral division with significant proportion of '" sedimentary mineral matter. Inertinite (Fusinite and Semifusinite) is very predominant in the coal seams forming 50 to 60% of the maceral composition. The distribution pattern of the physical constituents of the coal shows characteristic petrographic assemblages or types indica• ting many features of economic application. Predominant fusinization of fossil material and finely dispersed clay minerals suggest decay and decomposition of swamps in addition to peatification. The differing degrees of exposure of organic material may be due to lower ground water level than swamp,; indicating drier conditions during the initial phase of coal formation. Sub:iequent coalification and regional variation in coal types m'lY b~ explaincj JI1 the basis of stratigraphi• cal depth and certain igneous rocks commonly seen in the coal seams.

2,3,5 Microconstituents of !lard coals

Faced with limitations of existing types of analysis for proper evaluation of coals, in particular Gondwana Coals and to explain much of the complexities or the characteristics of coal types, a new scheme '" has been formulated. This scheme adopts basic entities of plant material for classification as 0pp0:led to units based on technological property . • The woody microconstituents have been generalised into one unit Kuaonas Vitrinite based on overall features. But by careful palaeobo .. tanical analysis this broad unit may be subdivided with many type •• At lea.t 6 types have been recognised. ( II ) 2.4 Palaeozoic from Abroad

2.4.1 Lukuga Series, Belgian Congo

A miospore assemblage from a sam?le from the river Kibamba have been studied. Out of 55 genera recorded, the genus Cirrabaculis• porites is new. The new species instituted are Lciotriieies plica/us, L. plicatir_diatus, L. ma!!,nificus, PI,nctotisporites foveola Ius, Aconlhotriletes longispinosus, Cirrabaculisporites praeclarus, C. romosus, Dentatispora congoensis, Densosporites congoensis, D. angustus, Indolriradilfs congaens;s, lVelwitschiapites congoensis, Ginkg,ocycadophytus afrieamLS and Tetroporina suptrba.

A quantilative analysis of the miospore 35semblage ~hows the predominance of the genera Ltio/Tiletes, Punctatisporites and Sulcalisporites.

2.4 2 Ombela and Lokandll

Two samples from Assiscs glaciaires el periglaciaires from Omhela and Lokandu regions were ffi.lceratcd. The miospore assemblages recovered are dominateJ by man'Jsaccate pollen grains while the bisaccate p:>lIen grains are next ia abundance. On this evidence it has been concluded that Ombela and Lokandu assemblages ar~ younger tha:l Elila river beds of Assiscs glaciaircs el periglaciaires but older than \Valik'1.le sediment:> b~longing to the Assise des 5eh stes noirs de Wahkale

2.4.3 Lujupa-MIlJlryosh)a cOI!fluence

From L'lrupa~:\1u'ihYlShya conOuence spores, pollen, cuticle and seeds have been descrIbed. The miospore assemblage consists of 50 genera, out of which two (Cyclopilisporites and Pilasphaeridium) are new. Out of 107 ~pecies recovered following species are new: Punctatisporitts lt~ftlpJensis, Horridilrilel<'S concauUf, r.yclopiliJpJriies c ollgotmis, Lukugaspon"tes baculaLus, Crislati.tporites nzammillatus, C coniaLus, C. obliquous, Dentatispora supuba, Parasaccites firnbrialus, P. luberculatus, Fimbriaes/JoT iles diJIusus, Fallnipollmites tfJigmaLus, F. circumstriatus, "i/asphaeridium plicatus and P. circularis. A qllantitative ana,lysis of the palynological assemblage shows that this too is younger than Assises glaciaires et periglaciaires of Elila river but older than Assise des schistes noirs de vValikale.

( 12 3. MESOZOIC 3.1 Triassic

3.1.1 ParsoraJlora

Parsorophyllum, a new genus of fern like frond is recorded from Parsofa, ill the Madhya Pradesh. The present position of the Parsora flora is briefly reviewed.

3.1.2 Nidp"r-Mrgajossils

?\1egafossils from Nidpur have been worked out in detail Out of them, six species of Glossopteris (G. stnii, G. papillosa, G. nidpurcnlis, G. sp. A, G. sp. Band G. sp. C , Rhabdala,nia sp., L,pidopteris indica, Taeniopteris glandulata, Noeggerathiopsis sp., Glollolepis ru(osa and Coniles sp. are newly recorded.

Among the species of Glossopteris, except G. sp. C, all the species are based on cuticular structure, All the species of Glossopteris described from Nidpur differ from l[-e Palaeozoic species in cuticular structure.

The specimens of Rhabdolaenia are rather fragmentary. Their cuticle is somewhat similar to R.fibrosa Pant & Verma. Like the latter species they too have fibres between secondary veins. In Lepidopteris indica the cuticle 011 one side is slightly thicker than the other and also the thicker surface has rnore stomata than the thinner. Subsidiary cells on both the surfaces are 5-7 in number and bear a prominent cutinized lappet. Taeniopteris glandulata is characterized in having gland-like bodies between secondary veins. The lateral and end walls of the epidermal cells are sinuous. Noeggerathiopsis sp. is preserved only in the form of impressions. In venation pattern it resembles most N. gondwoneJZsis Lele & l\1aithy and }{. densintTviJ l\1aithy.

A large number of tongue-shaped, detached scale-leaves with rugose surface has been described as GloUolepiJ rugosa. Its cuticle is very tough and hypostomJ.tic. The stomata are sparsely distributed and concen· trated more towards base. The cuticle more or less resembles some of the species of Dicroidium collected from Nidpur.

Conites sp. is an unusually large cone and has been compared with ? Araucarites J}denl)'ensis'Valkom.

13 ) :U.3 Nidpur-Mio,pom

The spores and pollen grains recovered from shales have been re• ferred to 22 genera and 40 specif'~. Out of them 4 genera (Nidipollenitu, SatsangisaecilU. WtylandiltS and Prateo/pilts) and 18 species are new. The mioflora is constituted by two spore ~enera and 20 pollen genera. Among the latter, both striated saccates and non·saccates are well diversified and also the latter forms are dominant. I'he miofloral 3'isemblage shows closest relationship, with the Upper Permian and Lower Triassic miofloras of India and it is most likely a deposition of younger Lower Tria~sic age.

32. Jurassic-Cretaceot1s

3 2.1. Rojmohol floro

Ptiloph]llurn amarJolense Bose and P. salmii Gupta and Sharma have been studied in great detail. Cuticular structure and anatomical detail of the rachis and pinna have been described.

Be~ides the above two species, all the other species of Plilophyllum from the R:ljr;lahal Hill have been re-examined. They have been assigned to P. acutifolium Morris, P. cutchense ~10rris, P. rarinerois (Fdst. mental) and P. tenerrimum Feislmanlel.

The collection includes three species of bellnetlitalean male fructi. fication Wtll,ichio, viz., W. ,inghii Bose, W. polyandro (Ganju) Bose & Sitholeyand II'. Santa/ens;, (Sitholey & Bose) Bose. W. singhii consi,t, of about 12 microsporophylls which are united at base, forming a cup. shaped structure. The imp0rlance lies in its being found attached to a Bucklandia·lype stem. W. polyandra is based on the specimens originally described as Onlhtanfhus polyandra. It is an unopened flower which very closely resemble, the upper (microsporophyllous) part of Cycodeoidea dactylola Bose, 1966. Many new specimens of JV. sanlalensis have been figured and on their basis a new interpretation regarding the microsporo. phylls have been given. Also a new restoration of a microsporophyll has been made. The microsporophyll has been depicted as a bilaterally symmetrical structure without any twisting of the distal portion. ( It ) 3.2.2 Sehoraflora

From here, Todites indiws (Oldham and Morris) Doratophyllum uni; and Williamsonia seniana have been described. All the specimens of T. indicus from Schara are sterile. D. swii, in gross fealures, resembles most of the previously known species uf D01atophyllum but it differs from all of them in the nature of subsidiary cells and some of the adjacent cells which are all very thickly cutinized. W. seniana has been instituted on eight carbonized specimens. The cuticular structure of its bracts resemble, the cuticle of Ptiloph)'II"m distanse (Feistm.) Jacob and Jacob, 1954 described from the same locality.

3,2.3 So"th Rewa-L. Cretaeeo"s

Re!earch work on three species, viz. I Gleichenia nordtnsk£ijidii, PhlthDpteris po/ypodioides, and Weich.retia relieu/ata has been completed. In G. nordenski(j/dii the pinnules are attached with a small part of the base near midrib. The base of pinnule is asymmetrical and its lower ba,al edge overlap' the rachis. In the Indian specimens of P. polypo• dioidts the pinnules are relatively narrower than most of the specimens, previou51y described, from other countries. The upper cuticle of W. reticulata consists of polygonal cells whose anticlinal walls are thick and strongly looped. Cells over veins are longer and narrower and their anticlinal walls are moderately undulate to almost straight.

3,2.4 From Kathiawar - hleh

A few specimens of Cladophl,bis sp. cf. C. longipennis Seward have been collected from Darad. All of them are sterile. Two fragmentary micrmporophylls have been recorded from Kakadbhit in Kutch as W,ltrichia sp. In them the preservation is very poor but the sporogenous chambers of the appendages are elf'arly seen.

3 2.5 Dalmiapuram Grey Shale zone, South India

I The age of the grey shale horizon of Dalmiapuram, which uncon- formably underlies the Coral Reef Limestone of the UUatur Stage, has long been a matter of controversy because of the absence of any definite fossil evidence. Some geologists place it within the Uttatur Stage (Cenomanian) while otl1l:"r::;have assigned them a Pre-Ullatur

15 age. S

The palynological assemblage ascribes a Lower Cretaceous (ApLian) age for the grey shale zone of Daimiapul am and hence support a Pre-Uttatuf age for the bed. The abundant presence of micro• plankton remains suggests brackish-wJ ter to near-shore environment of deposition.

3.2.6 Palynological succession through Mesozoic of India

A critical synthesis of all the palynological data from the Mesozoic rocks of India based upon published information supplemented by original study has revealed lhe occurrence of miofloras successively dominated by Decisporis, Alisporilts complex, Class Jpollis complex1 AraucQriacitrs complex, cyatheaceous and schizeaceous spores complex and finally angiospermic pollen grains. In this palynological succession as many as nine spore assemblages have been seggregated as occurring in the Indian sediments. A table incorporating the chronostratigraphic placement of the various miofioras and Ihe salient rletaiIs of the assemblages have been included.

3.2.7 Palynologieal subdivision af Gondwana seque1lce

All the palynological information reg:uding Gondwana rocks in India has been synthcsized building up the vcnica} succcs:..ion of pi incipal spore kinds through the Gondwana Era It has been possible to distinguish 6 mionoras, to being re.Hriclcd to Permian, one each to Triassic, Liassic and Oolitic together wilh lower Cretaceous, and the youngest as the basal. non-angiospermolls precursor of the Miofloras of middle Cretaceous and younger ages. The 5 maxima of trilete spores separa~ing the mionoras have been shown to be directly succecding the miofloral changes. 'T'hn'e of these changes lend to

16 lie along the boundaries between Pel mian, Triassic, Liassic and Oolitic and are considered to be of greater significance on floristic grounds. It has been concluded that palynologically the Gondwana Era is divssible into 3 rather than '2 divisions.

3.3 Upper Cretaceous

3.3.1 Therriaghat, ShiLlong Plateau

Preliminary investigations on some samples from a greenish calca• reous shale member of the Langpar fromation, exposed at the U msohryngkew river section at Therriaghat have yielded the following microplankton species. Arhamosphaera aptrculata A. cambra, A. de/ieata, A rabusta, A. valianta, A. glabata, A. eonvexa, flystriahospaeridium robustum, H. trameultnturn, H. assarnicum, Oligosphaeridium cephalum, Poly- •. sphaeridimn subtif·, Leptodinillm ovum, Fromea aeambra, Asccodinium cf. scabro.. sum, Baltisphaeridium sp, 4pteodmium sp. and Caningia sp. The assemblage indicates a brackish water enviroment of deposilion. None of the Eocene samples from the Therriaghat section has yielded micro• planktons. On the olher hand rich assemb!ages of palynological fossils from the overlying members suggf'st that sea regressed from this area during the deposition of the overlying members of the Therria Stage.

33.2 Cretaceous - Tertiary boundary in S. Shillong plateau

Demarcation of the Cretaceous - Tertiary boundary in Assam is an important strati .:raphical problem which still awaits solution. Opinion based on field evidences appear to be sharply divided. The present project has been undertaken with the object of finding palynological markers which will help in the delimitanon of this boundary. A large number of samples have been collected from a number of measured sections around Thrriaghat, Langpar, Cherra .. SheIla road, Punkwng, etc.

More thaIl 50 samples from both Langpar and Mahadek For• mations have been examined. On~y one sample has so far yielded palynological fossils Since the spore-pollen yield from this sample was "pry 10\\1 the area w<.s revisited for fresh collections.

17 4. T E R T I A R Y 4.1 Palaeogene

4,1.1 Zonation oj Cherra Jormation

In the South Shillong Plateau, sediments of the Cherra Formation rest on the eroded surface of Langpar Limestone (Danian) and are in turn conformably overlain by the Lakadong Limestone. Three biostratigraphical zones have been established, based on the disposition of the Cherra Sandstone in three altitudinal belts, each characterized by a non-persistent coal seam and on the distribution of stratigra• phically reliable palynological marker 'pecies.

The lower zone can he distinguished by high frequencies of Schi. J;,osporis crassimurus, Retialetes emmda/us and Polypodii .porites mawkmamris, together with a few other forms restricted only to this zone The mid• dle zone can be recognized by the common occurrence of Corrugatis• poritesformosus, Sestrosporites deilmanii, Foraminisporis medius, Monosulc tes rarispinosus, Monosulcites wodehousei etc. and low frequencil"s or ± absence of SchizospJris crassimurus and Polypodiisporites mawkmaensis. The upper zone is distinct in the absence of palynomorphs characteristic of the lower and middl"! zones and the common occurrence of Foveos• porites pachyexinous, Polycolpites speciosus, Engelhardtiodites parvlls, etc.

4.1.2 Laitryngew-Mawkma Coal bearing sandstone.

Palynological studies of the sedimentary formations of the South Shillong Plateau have shown that the Coal-bearing sandstont's may be slightly older than what tbey \""'ere regarded (i. e., Lower :Nliddle Eocene). The dominance of marker !'pecies like Schi;;.osporiscrassimurus, Polypodiisporites mau.:kmaeTIsis, Retialell's nnendatlls, NTmjJ!taeaciditfs clarus, Polycolpites ornalus, Tricolporopollis decaris, Lycopodiumsporitrs palaeocl1licus, Trioriles inferius, etc. and the absence of Lower Eocene and Upper Cretaceou~ forms .indicate that this sandstone group is equivalent to Cherra Formation and hence Palaeocene in age. The results of heavy mineral studies also seem to confirm to the palynological dating.

The fossils suggest prevalence of tropical climate and a shallow, fresh-water or l

4 1.4 Laki udimellts of Kutch A number of bore-hole samples from near J hulrai, Baranda and Pana• ndhro were examined for [heir palynological fossils, 'I he core samples were supplied by the Directorate of Geology and ~lining, Government of Gujarat. All the samples represent the Laki Series and comprise of grey and cal bonaceous shales ahernating with thin bands of J:gnite and fine-grained sandstones. The basin of deposition ~eems to be shallow as the maximum depth of the Laki sedimellt~ docs not exceed 110 feet. ~Irost of the sample!' proved to be rich in palynological fossils. The stratigraphically important elements of the Laki assemblage are - Osm• lmdacidiles, Callialasporites:. PodJcmpidites, Liliociditts, Palmaepolltnites, Aleli• apollis} Slephanocolpitu. PolycolpilfS, Prj}tea(idi/~S, Barringlonia, .Jonneratio, Pellicierio, Rhiz.ophortJ etc. Apart from these a number of microplankton genera have also been recorded. The presence of mangrove elements together with hystrichospha• erids, dinoflagellates and microloraminifera indicate a near-shore, most probably estuarine environment of deposition. The palynological assemblage having mesozoic-elements like Collialospuriles; Podocarpidites etc, together with dominant Sltphanocolpites, Pol;'colpites, Liliacidites, Palmaepollenites, Proteocidites etc, suggest a Palaeocene-Lower Eocene age for the Laki sediments.

4.2 Neogene 4,2,1 Tertiary sediments of Kerala '''lith a view to build the biostratigraphy of the Tertiary sediments of Kerala coast samples were collected from two sections, one near

( 19 ) Quilon and the other at V\7arkalla. ThfJ Quilon section comprises of fossiliferous limestone, carbonaceous c1a)'~J sandy clays and sands while the Warkalla section.~consists of variegated clays and sands, carbona• ceous clays, white plastic clays and jignitic bands.

The carbonaceous clay from the mine section near Padappakara, Quiioll yielded a lich assemblage of fungal remains. No spores or pollen grains were found. The dominant fungal types are Parmat!lyr. ites indiclls, Q]iilonia 0piea, and Enlo/J/ryi)'ctis willoughbyi.

4.2.2 Pa~vllology oj Cadilal.re Sallds/olld

The 1 cyvcli Lignite deposit form an important horizon of the Cuddalore Series. Plant microfossils have, so far, been rccoven~d from the lignite member only. The palynological assemblage comprises of a large number of angiosperms and ferns. Not a single microplankton taxa was found. The palynological fos5iIs illdicate a fresh-water environment of dcpositiolJ and the prevalence of moist subtropical climate.

4.2.3 Pelrology oj Nf),",li ligllile

General microscopic studies have been made to determine the petrological charactC'rs of the lignite. \\'ondy, Peaty and Coaly types of lignite have been distinguished. Vessels, hyphae of fungi and spores have been rccognised. From the petrographic analysis the samples investigated appear to consist predominantly of angimpermous woods and tis ues ~llg~psting recent deposition. Presence of abundance of fungal remains and resins indicate high decay and destruction of woody constituents.

4,2.4 Techniques in browfl coal studies

Number of formulations have been made for preparation of lignite. \Vhile lIying various resins based on Coal preparalior. technique, apart from Palatzi, Araldite. Lekutherm, Degalan, Pieximon resins have b~en found satisfactory for embedding lignite samples.

4.2.5 JVomclIdatur of Exinite / fc.

Botanical terms have been erroneously coined for microconstituents of hard and brown coals based on technological properties of palaeo·

( 20 ) botanical components. Resin bodies aithough resemble in mIcro• structure to sclerotia yet they are two different basic organic units and hence a separation from Sclerotinite has been suggested. Similarly Huminite has been separated from Delrinite due to two different inorganic units.

4.2.6 Etching technique ~fVitrinite

Etching technique has been evolved to show the latent botanical structure of Vitrinite component and thus to differentiate different organic units of woody component - The etching soiution of Chromic• Su1phuric acid is used (10 c. c. of Cone. Su'. acid+30 c. c. of saturated Chromic acid).

4.2 7 Lithotype classification of Brown Coal

Based on fossils and their derivative assemblage, different layers of brown coals have been recognized, namely xylitic layers, fibrous layers, Exinite or yellow layer, brown layer and black layer.

4.2.8 Fossil woods from the Middle Tertiary af Eastern India

Petrified woods were investigated from the J\Jiocene Tipam Sand• stone near HaiJakandi and Jaipur in Assam and from the Mio-Pliocene of Deomali in NEFA. The woods from Hailakandi, in Cachar district, were found to resemble those of the genera Gluta - Mela norrhoea, Adenanthera, Swintonia, Antisoptera and Liospyros -MlJba.

From Jaipur the fossil woods showed affinities with the modern genera Shorea, Holigarna, Peltop/lOra, Terminalia Duabanga, Calophyllum, Afz.elia-Intsia and Gluta - Melano7Thoea.

The genera reconized in [he fossil woods of Deomali are Sideroxylon, Shorea, Cynonutra and T(rmina!ia.

The existence of the above genera during the Miocene~Pliocene of eastern India and their presence in the modern flora of that region suggested that there has been no great change in the vegeta don and ecological condition of that area since the Middle Tertiary period.

21 4.2.9 Fossil plonls of Ihe Siwalik formolion

Siwalik exposures are found aU along the southern foot-hills of the Himalayas. In the past petrified \'loads and leaf impressions had been reported from a number of localities, but they had not been studied syHcmatically. Recently del;1j1cd collections have been made at a numuer of localities. From Nalagarh (Himachal Pradesh) a large collection of fossil woods was made, whose pJeliminary examjnation has revealed a preponderance of leg urnes and dipterocarps. A collection of leaf impressions from Tanakpur (U. P.) shews forms resembling those of Dillmia, Telminalia, Sy;:,ygium, AfydJlica, Lilsea etc. In another coilection of leaf impressions from Bhikna Thoree (BIhar) have been recognized such plants as Zizyphus jl/jaba, Bauhinia hookerii or Hardwickia binata and Cinnamomum tamala. These studies are indicating that in early Siwalik times rich moist vegetation was growing in Western Himalayas in such localities where conditions are comparatively more arid at the prescnt day. There also seems to be a transition (rom moisture to

4.2.10 S/IIdi" on Ihe ptlrifi.d woods of Ih, Cllddalore Series

Detailed studies on the rich collections of fossil woods from Ih ~ Guddalore Sandstones of South Arcot district, Tamil Nadu has revealed that besides identifying new forms, it is also important to revise many of the old identifications. In accordance with this latter view five diptero .• carpaceol1s woods, viz., Dipterocarpoxylon i ndicum, Shortoxylon holdeni, Shoft)lxvlon morlrl1ndrtflst, Shorto.rylon megaporosum, and Anisopttro.tylon ,uddaloTtnse have been revised. All these species show close resemblance with the wood~ of Ihe modern genus Dn'obalonops which at present is restricted to the f\1alaysian region (Java and Sumatra). Further, the affinities of HoPtox)'loll indicum, DipttTocal'pox)'(on cuddalorenst, Gutliferoxylon indi'cum, Celastrinox)'lon dakshineme and Albi<.zioxylon salmii have also been revised after a critical examination.

Further investigation of the collections have revealed the occurrence of taxa resembling DiosP)TflS, Chrysoph)'llum, Adina-Nauclta and Shorea.

22 ) The increasing data 0:1 the identification e..f these woods are helping to build up the composition of the rich forests that grew in South India during Miocene· Pliocene epochs.

4.3 General Tertiary

4.3.1 A comprehellsivestudy if the Tertiary floras if Illdia as kllowll sofar.

The Tertiary floras in India remained practically uninvestig-ated until the first quarter of the present Century. Lately, however, they have received the attention of a number of workers who have furnished considerable data on this subject. Realizing the importance of a critical consideration of all tbe significant information in this field, so as to asSess the value or our present knowledge and plan future lines of investigalion, this study was taken up.

The Teniary floras of India can conveniently be divided into two groups - Palaeogene and Neogene. Palaeogene floras are found only in the Peninsular I ndia, while Neogene occur in both the Peninsular and extra-Peninsular regions. They are predominantly tropical floras, made up of genera now largely confined to the Old World.

A notable feature of the Indian Palaeogel.e is the occurrence of a few southern hemisphere taxa which recall the pre-Cenozoic relation• ships between India and the Gondwana continents to the south.

The London clay flora shows noticeable general resemblance with the Indian Palaeogene. There are also related forms in the Tertiary of northern Af, ica. I t is possible that the Indo-l\Jalayan type of vegetation grew all along the southern shores of the Tethys sea during the early Tertiary period.

From the observations on the v<'getalion of the r..1iocene time, it is envi~aged that there were large scale migrations and intermingling of floras over rvlalaysia, India, Arabia, and Eastern Africa during Neogene period. Water seems to have been a major factor in controlling the distribution of plants at low latitudes throughout the Cenozoic era.

It has also been possible to reconstruct the palaeogeography of India during the Early Eocene and Miocene epochs on the joint evidence of plant and anim .11 fossils. 4.4 Tertiar:.es froID Abroad

4.4.1. Fossil woods jrom the Tertiary of Burma

A collection of petrified woods from the Miocene deposits of Burma was worked out. It consists of wood resembling those of the modern genera Dipterocarpus, Shorea-Pentacme, Slerculilf, Glutll-Melanorrhoea, Acacia, Cynometra, Af(elia-!nlsia, Cassia, and Logerstloemia. All these genera :lre found today growing in the forests of Burma. This fact indicates that there h3S been little climatic and vegetational change in this area since the Middle Tertiary period. Similar fossil woods are also found in the Miocene beds of Assam and NEFA, showing thereby that during Ihe Neogene period eastern India and nonhern Burma had the same tYf.le of vegetation.

4.4.2 Tertiary woods from Congo

A collection of fossil woods from the ~1iocene of Lake Albert, Congo has been investigated with the help of modern woods of Tropical Africa available in the Royal Must-urn of Central Africa at Tervuren, Belgium. Some of the fossils have been identified with the genera Entandrophrflgma, Dichrostachys, lsoher/inea, Brachystegia, Baphia and Newtonia-Albi4.~ia. rvlajority of these belong of to Lcguminosae It seems that legumes were growing abundantly in Central Africa during the Neogene period. The plants are all typically tropical in nature.

4.4.3. Fossil woodsfrom the Tertiary of C{echosloukia

From a collection of fossil woods from Nonhern Bohemia, dicoty• ledonous woods were worked out at the Institute while the conifers were investigated at the National ~1U5eum, Praha (Czechoslovakia). The dicot genera identified are Liriodendron, Ctrc;diph)'Il"m, flatGnus. Carpinus or COrylUf, OstrJopsij-Cory/us and a C'umber of Lauraceae. These form a significant complement to our knowledge of the Tertiar)' floras of Czechoslovakia, which were so far studied only on the basis of leaves and fruits. Plata'Jur represents an important element from the phytogeographical viewpoint s~nce it occurs fairly abundantly in this Oora in the earlier as well as later volcanic phaSe".

24 A few fossil woods from the Tertiary of South Bohemia were also brought for investigation from Czechoslovakia. Some of them have been worked out and found to resemble the woods of MimusopJ, DiosPJ'roJ Maba, Lauraceae and Conirerae. The study is still in progress

5. QUATERNARY 5. P••lynology

5. 1. Palynolog)" of wild ,.iets

In continuation of the work on cereal Vs noncereal pollen parti• cularly their morphology, production and sedimentation, the exami• nation, of 01yza pernmis and O. sativa var. J/)OI1(ol1ea in the field has revealed that they are partly cleistogamous and partly wind pollinated. Per anther production of pollen in these two species is comparatively much smaller than in the other wild grasses. Tho more or less psilate pollen grains range in size betwet;n 25 p. - 45 p. and rarely attain the size of 51 Jl. In spite of the decidous nature of the spikelets, pollen analysis of the soil samples from the marshes abounding in these wild rices has revealed a very small percentage of grass pollen preserved. The size of the pollen preserved was in the range mentioned above. The abundant occurrence of the wild rices in these marshes is not depicted by the pollen spectrum, and rurthel the occurrence of pollen

of the size 5l p. may mislead a pollen analyst. The observations rever that the usual size criteria distinguishing cereal pollen from the wild grass pollen as enunciated in Europe cannot be applied in India. Possible causes for poor preservations of pollen may be the aerobic nature of the samples examined when the microbial activity should be great and the calcareous and circum neutral nature of samples, both of which are detrimental to the preservation of pollen. The walls of pollen grains, however, did not show any effect of the microbes on them.

5.2. Pollen Analysis

5. 2. 1. Kumaon Himalaya

A moss fragment recovered during pollen analytical investigations of Bhim Tal, has heen identified as Sphagnum papillosum Lindb. The specimen from the superficial layers may not be older than 1000 years.

( 25 ) There is so far no record of Sphagnum from the Kumaon Himalayas, and there are only two species, S fimbria turn and S. squarrosum known from Himachal Pradesh in the entire \.-vestern Himalayas. S. papillosum is not known from India so far.

5.2.2. Nilgiris

The radiocarbon dates of the OOlacommund pollen profile have now made is possible to date thc phases of vegetational development. The initiation of the Shola forest took place about 35,000 year ago, through gradual invasion of the grasslands under a warm and humid climate which was free from frost. The Shola fOleSt comprising Enon)'molls, Gvrdonja and devoid of Myrtaceae is indicative of low preci• pitation (60"'·80") as obtained today in the eastern part of the Nilgirls. The e'Stablishment of the Shola forest took place in stages: by about 24,000 years Ihe shrubby vegelalion had been established and by about 15000 years the Shola furest had already becn formed. The subsequent phase of disforeslation of the Shola fOfest at Kakathope remains to be dated.

5.2 3. Himachal Pradesh

Pretty long polIen profiles at both Khajiar and Rewalsar reveal a succe5sioll leading from the oak woods - oak mixed conifer woods to Deodar woods. A short term disturbance in the oak mixed conifer woods at Khajiar is noted around first century A. D. and the final decline of the oak woods and rise of deodar woods is dated by radiocarbon at 700 A. D. but the latter phase at Rewalsar is dated at 540 A. D. The substantial decline of oak woods and their replacem~llt by Pine in the Kashmir Valley earlier estimated at 700 A. D. is corn borated by the finds at Himachal Pradesh.

52.4. Rajasthan

Pollen diagrams constructed from Sambhar, Didwana, Lunkaransar and Pushkar LakE'S both from the Western and Eastern Rajasthan and supported by radiocarbon dates provide history of vegetation and climate during the last 10,000 yean. Through a large part oi the sequence the non-arborea)s afe dominant together with ArtemiJ;a indicating constar.t1y arid climate. At about 3000 B.C. trees and ahrub

( 26 pollen ratios increase, indicating the extension of the forests, compnsmg Prosopis, Aca io, Capparis and ArlOgeissus pendula, in this open arid and semi-arid Savanaah type of forest but on the whole predominantly dry conditions have prevailed to the present. Evidence of scrub burning in the past has been recorded.

5.2.5. Assam

The late Quaternary deposits comprising soft unconsolidated clays, silts and sands at Tockalai, Cinnamara, Assam have revealed the occur. rence of moist evergreen forest in the vicinity of Tockalai.

5.2.6. Bengal

Pollen analysis of top peat layers and the ass;)ciated silty and clayey deposits have shown the peat layers to be rich in pollen and spores. The saprophytic fungi identified include Te/raploa orislala, T. ,liissii, Amellop"'ora mussaenda and Entophlyctis lobata. Of these Tetraploa aristala is found both in marine water and fresh water streams.

Pollen analysis reveals the occurrence of a fresh water Heritiera forest on the ground lying between the drier banks of streams and the central depressions in which the peat was deposited. The peat layer ranges in age from 4075±lOO and 2610±lOO B.P. lIS fresh water nature is further confirmed by the pollen grains of Potamogeton, Ludwigia and Myriophyllum. Fresh water to slightly brackish conditions are suggested by the presence of diatoms of Pennales which are dominant. The members of Centrales are rare.

Haitjera forest comprised Heritiera and Bruguiera b')th dominantly present and Ceriops. The other members were poorly present.

Decaying woods of Heritiera and Sonneratia have been recovered in some sections at greater deptbs and dated by radiocarbon to 581O±120 B.P. and 5140±115 RP. respectively.

5.3. Arcbaeobotany

5.3.1. Indian cultivated planls-lVheal

l\1orphological and statistical evalution of length, breadth, thick• ness, and liB, LIT, BIL, T/L and T/B indices of carbonised wheat

27 grains from Mohenjo-Daro, Navdatoli-1vIaheshwar and Ter, ranging in age from 2300 B.C. to 200 A.D. and their comparison with the modern wheat grains of T. sphaerococcurn, T. compacltlrn and T. aestivum have reaveled that the carboni sed grains belong to T. sphaerocoClum only. The grains are comparatively smaller in the early Historical Period than during the Cha!colithic and the Harappan Periods. The present investigation reveals that this indigenous wheat after domestication was the only wheat cultivated in India for over two thousand years before the Birth of Christ.

5.3.2. Barley

Potsherds from Bogor, a neolithic site in Rajasthan have yielded no evidence of ancient plant economy. The carbonised material from Kalibangan comprises abundant naked and hulled forms of six-rowed barley. The grains are much shrunk in size which may be due to poor growth on sandy soils besides the effect of carbonisation. This is the only site of Harappan civilization where sizeable collection of barley has been obtained. It has been scarcely found at the other site. Records are absent from the ChalcoJithic and they are rare in the Iron Age. Its history does not find accord with the written evidence as in ancient literature, of which the pos:;ibilities of any context with the Harappan culture are not borne out. The Harappans were either pre• Aryans or the tribes contemporary with the Aryans. The plant economy of Banas culture in Rajasthan comprising rice and Sorghum is again different from the staple diet of the Aryans Its authorship with the early waves of the Aryans is not borne out by Archaeobotany.

5.3.3. Rice

In order to aid specific identification of carbonised rice, L/BxT ratios have been built up of Indian wild rices and of O. sativa. These have been found widely different from those of carboniserl rice grains owing to considerable shrinkage in size due to carbonisation. The imperfect preservation of morphological details in imprints or carbonised rice has prevented their proper specific identification. Chiefly owing to this it has not been possible to record the various phases of domes• tication of rice in India. The imprints on pot-sherds provide a better opportunity for such a study if it is proven that the clay or mud used

28 was picked up from marshes bearing wild rices, the spikelets of which fall off after maturity and get incorporated in the sediments of marsh. Clay-lumps picked up from marshes bearing wild rices showed a small number (about 8·9} of spikelets per lump suggesting that the mixing of spikelets and straw with clay was largely an intentional practice with the ancient Indians.

A few sites have provided enough materials to bring out local changes in food economy. The Chalcolithic site Ahar in Rajasthan reveals rice, the only cereal during 1950 B.C.-1725 B.C. and Sorghum introduced about 1725 B.C., became important staple diet of the ancient Aharians. At Navdatoli-Maheshwar-a chalcolithic site in M.P., wheat was the only cereal until rice was introduced in Period II, which gradually grew in imponance in 1440 R.C. At Terin Maharashtra \·vheat and rice were equally important during 200 B.C.-IOO A.D. but from 100 A.D.-250 A.D. wheat predominated. Chickpea (Cicer ",i,li• num) introduced during 100 A.D.-250 A.D., became an important article of food economy during 250 A.D:·400 A.D.

5.3.4. Studies on the charcoal samples from Ter and lnamgaon in Maharashtra

A few charcoal samples, collected from the archaeological sites near Ter and Inamgaon in Mahara~htra, were received for identifica• tion. Their detailed anatomical study has shown that the charcoal pieces from Ter show affinities wilh the modern genera Acacia, Boswell£a Terminalia, Tectona, Sonneratia and a bamboo. It seems plausible to conclude that the inhabitants of the region around Ter were using the woods of the above genera during the chalcolithic period

5.4. Aeropalyoology

• 5.4.1. Pollen over Lucknow

Atmospheric pollen calendar for 1969-70 differs considerably from the one prepareu earlier for 1954·55 particularly in regard to the dominance of pollen in {he air m shown below:

1954-5:; 1969-70 Holople/,a 42.55% 13% Ailanthus 2200% 2.40%

29 Grdmitleae 9.79% 34.60% A,::;pdirachta 4.16% 3.60% Morus 6.15% 0.93% MYl'taceae 2.20% 13.10% Chenopod-Amaranth type 3.06% 8.60%

In most cases the period of dissemination of pollen tallies with the flowering season of the species and it has been posgible to distinguish three Oowering seasons. The maximum grass pollen in the air in 1954-55 was recorded in Oct.· Nov. but in 1969·70 it is observed in March - April. In some genera there is a shift in time in the first appearance of pollen in the air this year as compared to 1954-55.

The annual frequency of fungal spore catch, built up for the first time at Lucknow, is as follows:

Alternaria (35.8 %), He/mint/lOsporium (12.8 %), Uredospores of Puceinia (12.1 %), Cladosporium (5 %) and Nigrospora (4.9%), Cmospora (3.4 %) and Chae/omium (1.04 %1, etc. The rest are under I :Yo. Spores of Alternari(l, Cladosporium and Smuts are usually frequent during Feb. - May; Helminthosporium, Nigrospora, Aspergillus and Puccinia during Sep. - Oct.l Chaetomium in August, Cercospora in Oct. - Nov. and Curvlllaria in Aug ... Sept.

III PAPERS PUBLISHED

Following papers were published by the staff

I. Awasthi, N. (1969). A fossil wood of Sonn"a!ia from the Tertiary of South India. Pala,obo/anist.17 (3) : 254-257.

2. Awasthi, N. (1969). A new fossil wood resembling the genus Parinarium of the family Rosaceae from the Tertiary of South India. Palaeobolanisl 17 (3) : 317·321.

3. Awasthi, N. (1969). A new fossil wood belonging to the family Alangiaceae from the Tertiary of South India. Palaeobotanist 17 (3) : 322-325. Bharadwaj, D. C. (1969). Lower Gondwana Formations. C. r. VI. Int. Congo Carbon. Strat. & Coal. 1967 Sheffield. 1 : 255-278.

30 5. Bharadwaj, D. C. (1969). Palynological succession through the Mosozoic Era in India. J. Palynol. 5 (2) : 85-94.

6. Bharadwaj, D. C. & Srivastava, S C (1970). SporoJogica! corre• lation of coalseams in Bisrampur Coalfield Palacobolanist 18 (l) : 87-94.

7. Bharadwaj, D. C. & Srivastava, S. C. (1969), Some new mios• pores from Barakar stage. Pala,obo/anis/I7 (2): 220-229.

8. Bharadwaj, D. C. & Srivastava, S. C. (1969). Correlation of Coal seams in Chirimiri Coalfield, 1\1. P. on the basis of Sporae dispersa,. Pala,obatanis/. 17 (I) : 36-42.

\!9./Bharadwaj,lation of bore D. cores C. & "rivastava from Upper S.C. and (1969). Botlom Sporological seams of Talchir corre• Coalfield. Pala,obo/anist. 17 (2) : 152-156.

10.~haradwaj, D. C. & Srivastava, Shyam C. (1969). On a Triassic \I ;:'ioflora from India. Pala,ontographica. 125 (B) : 119-149. ly"SlBharadwaj,Megaspores. D.Pala,onlographica C. & Tiwari,129 R. S.(B) (1969). : 1-70. Lower Gondwana

12. Bharadwaj, D. C, & Sinha, V. (1969). Some new miospores. from Lower Gondwanas. in }. Sen Memorial Volume Bot. Soc. Bengal, Calcutta: 7-16.

13. Bbaradwaj, D. C. & Sinha, V. (1969). Sporological succession and age of Jhingurdah Seam, Singrau!i coalfield, M. P. Palaeobo• tanist, 17. (3) : 275-287.

14. Bose, l\1. l\. & Kasal, l\l. L. (1969). The fossil flora of the Jabalpur Series. 4. Jl'iliiamsonia stniana 11.SP. in]. Sell A/lmarial Volum, Bot. Soc. Bengal, Calcutta: 305-309.

Bose l\I. N. & l\lalteshwari, H. K. (1969). Palaeozoic Spora, I~ dispersae from Ganga-VIII. The Kibamba river (Lukuga coal• field Area). Annis. Mus. r. Afr, C,nt. ser, 8 63: 1-8!.

( 31 ) 16. Boureau, Ed. & Prakash, U. (1969). Sur un petiole fossile de Palmier de tiemassas (Senegal) et sur son mode d'accroissement diamelraJ. Palaeobolanisl 17 (3) : 247·253.

17. Jain, K. P. (1969). Morphology and taxonomy of the genus Triangulopsis Doring 1961. Palo,obolallisl. 17 (I) : 43·47.

18. Kar, R. K. (1969). Palynology of the North Karanpura basin Bihar, India·4. Subsurface palynology of the borehole No. K. 5. PalaeLbolanisl. 17 ( I) : 9-21.

19. Kar, R. K. (1959). Palynology of the :\'orth Karanpura basin, Bihar, India-S. Palynological assemblage of the borecore No. K. 2. Raniganj Stage (Upper Permian) Palaeobolallist 17 (2): 101-120.

20. Kar, R. K. (1969). Palaeozoic Sporae dispersae from Congo-IX Gmbela and Lokandu regions. Allnls, Mus. r. Afr. Cenl. SeT. 8. 63: 81·112.

21. Kar, R. K. (1970). Sporae dispersae from Panchet (Lower Triassic) in the bore-core No. RE. 9 from Raniganj Coalfield. Palaeobotanist 18 (I) : 50·62.

22. Kar, R. K. (1969). Palynology of the Mesozoic sediments of Kutch, W. India - 11. Three new species of Applanopsis with remarks on the morphology of the genus. in J. Sen Memorial Volume, Bot. Soc. Beng.. Calcutta. : 33·43.

23. Kar, R. K. & Venkatachala, B. S. (I969). Palynology of the Laki sediments in Kutch-I. Spores and pollen from bore~hole No. 14. Palaeobotanisl. 17 (2) : 157-178.

• 24. Kar, R. K. & Venkatachala, B. S. (1969). Palynology of the Laki sediments in Kutch - 2. Epiphyllous fungal remains from bore• hole No. 14. Palaeobolanisl. 17 (2) : 179·183.

25. Kar, R. K. & Venkatachala, B. 5, (1969). A nomenclatural problem concerning reworked fossil spores and pollen. Micropalaeon• tology. 15 (~) : 491·492.

32 26. K,I', R. K. & Venkat,cha!a, B. S (1970). Palynolo;ical zona• tion of Katl'ol (Upper Jurassic) and Bhuj (Lower Creataceous) sediments in Kutch, Gujarat, India. Palaeobolanist 18. (I) : 75-86.

27. Kar, R. K., Venkatachala, B. S. & Raza S. (1969). Palynology of the Umia plant beds of Kutch, W India-4. Bhujiasporites gen. nov., a new trilete spore genus. Palaeobotanisl 17 (2) : 121-122.

~8. Kar, R. K., Venkatachala, B. S. & Raza, S. (1969). Palynology of the Umia plant beds of Kutch, W. India-5. Morphological study and revision of the spore genus Trilobosporites Pant ex POlOnie, 1956, Palaeobotallist 17 (2) : 1'!3·126.

29. Kar, R. K., Venkatachala, B. S. & Raza, S. (1969). Palynology of the Mesozoic sediments of Kutch, W. India 10. Spores and pollen from Kalrol exposures near Bhuj, Kutch district. Palaeob· otallist 17 (2) : 184-207.

30. Kasat, M. L. (1969). The fossil flora of Jabalpur Series S. Doratophyllum senii. in ]. Sen .Hemarial Volume Bot, Soc. Beng'J Calcutta. : 375-478.

31. Lakhanpal, R. N. (1969). Fossil Fissistigma from the Lower Siwaliks near jwalamukhi, India In J. Sen A1emorial Volume. Bot. Soc. Beng.) Calcutta: 311-312.

32. Lakhanpal, R. N. & Dayal, R. (1969) Some observation on the nomenclature of fossil dicotyledonous woods. Bull. bot. Sur. India. 10 : 289-292.

33. Lele, K. M. (1969). Studies in the Indian Middle Gondwana Flora 5. Parsoroph)'llum gen. novo from Pars ora beds. in J. Sm Memorial Volume Bot. Soc. Beng., Calcutta. 313-318.

34. Lele, K.!vl. (1969). Studies in the Glossopteris flora ofIndia. Alatocarpus a new platyspermic seeds flOm the Lower Gondwana btds of . Paloeobatan;,I. 17 (I) : 52-58. 35. Lele, K. ~l. & Kulkarni, S. ('1969). Two miospore assemblages flom tlie Argada Sector, South Karanpura coalfield with remarks on .heir probable age. Pala,obotanisl. 17 (3. : 288-294.

33 36. Lele, K. M. & Maithv, P. K. (1969). Miospore assemblage from the Ganjra Nala Beds, South Rewa Gondwana basin, with remarks on the age. Pala,obolanisl. 17 (3) : 298-"09_

37. Maithy, P. K. (1969). Conternporallity of the Karharbari flora in Gondwanaland. In J. Sen Memorial Volume. Bot. Soc. Bengal, Calcutta: 279-298.

38. Maithy, P. K. (1969). Plant fossils and miospores from the Coal• bearing beds of Daltonganj, Bihar with some remarks on the age of these beds. Pala,obotanist 17 (3) : 265-274.

39. Navale, G. K. B. (1969). An approach to nomenclature and classification of Lignile Micro·contituents. Bull. geol. Soc. India 6. (3) : 89-92

40. Navale, G. K. B. (191i9). Araldite or Hylak resins as embedding substance for microscopic study of coal and foss!l plants. in J. Sen Memorial Volume, Bot. Soc. Bengal, Calcutta: 395-398.

41. Prakash, U. & Awasthi, N. (1970). Fossil woods from the Tertiary of Eastern India. Palaeobotanisl. 18 (I) : 32·44.

42. Prakash, U & Buureau, Ed. (1969). Bois fossiles des Palmiers. t\1em. Sect. des sciences, Palaeobotanica. 2: 130-146.

43. Prakash, U. & Tripathi, P. P. (1969). On Glutoxylon burm,nse from Hailakandi in Assam, with critical remarks on the fossil wood of Glutoxylon Chowdhury, Pala'dbotan;st. 17 (I) : 59-64.

44. Prakash, U. & Tripathi, P. P. (1969). Fossil woods of Legumi• nosae and Anacardiaceae from the Tertiary of Assam. Palaeohota· nist. 17 (I) : 22-32.

45. Prakash, U. & Tripathi, P. P. (1970). Fossil woods from the Tertiary of Hailakandi, Assam. Palaeobolan;st. 18 (1) : 20-31.

46. Sah, S. C. D. (1969). Petroleum ki Khoj me paraganu vigyan ka yogdan. Bhuvig),on 1 (2) : 91-93. (in '.

47. Sah, S. C. D. & Jain, K P. (1969). A Lower Jurassic miospore assemblage from the Variegated sh

34 48. Sah, S. C. D. & Malleshwari, H. K. (1969). Plant fossils from the Bansloi Valley, Rajmahal hills, Bihar, with remarks on the position of the Di.lbrajpur group. in J. Se'J .\1emorial Volume Bot. Soc. Beng , Calcutta: 369-374.

49. Sah, S. C. D. & Kar, R. K. (196)\. Pteridophytic spores from the Laki [ormation of Kutch. in J. Sen lHemorial Volume. Bot. Soc. Beng., Calcutta. : 109-121.

50. Sharma, B. D. & Vishnu-Mittre (1969). Studies of Po~t-glacial vegetational history from the Knshmir valley·2. Baba Rishi and Yus Maidan. Palaeobotanist. 17 (3) : 231-243.

51. Singh, H. P. (1970). On some species of Rouseisporites Pocock occurring in the Jabalpur Series of India. Palaeobotanist. 18 (I) : 8-11.

52. Singh, H. P. & Pramod Kumar (1969). Reappraisal of some subsaccate fossil polleu genera: Palaeobotanist. 17 (I) : 80-92.

53. Srivastava, S. C. (1969). Two new spe.::ies of Glossopteris from the Triassic of Nidpur, ~Iadhya Pradesh. in J. Sen Atfemorial Volume. Bot. Soc. Beng., Calcutta: 299-303.

54. Tiwari, R. S. (1969). Sporological succession in Purewa Seam Singrauli Coalfieldl ~1.P. in J. Sen l\!femorial Volume. Bot. Soc. Beng. Calcutta: 93-100.

55. Vishnu-!\1ittre (1969). Nuclei and chromosomes in a fossil fern. in C. D. Darlington & K. R. Lewis: Chromosome Today 2. : ?50- 251.

56. Vishnu-Mittre (1969). Remains of Rice and Millet. In H. D. Sankalia, S. B. Deo & Z. D. Ansari: Excavation at Ahar (Tambavate). 229-236.

57. Vishnu-Mittre (1969). Status of Barley in India Archaeology with remarks on the Aryan Hypothesis. Puratua: 1-3.

58. Vishnu-Mittre (1969). Some evolutionary aspects of Indian flota. in J. Sen Memorial Volume Bot. Soc. Beng. Calcutta: 285-394.

35 59. Vishnu-Mittre (1969). Lectures on Quaternary Palynology. Mimeographed Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bombay.

60. Vishnu-Mitra (1970). Palaeohotanical evidence for the history of Indian Crops. Abstract Syrup. (lCrop Plants Evolution" Indian Soc. Genetics Plant Breeding: 1-3.

61. Vishnu-Mitre & Robert, R. D. (1969). Taxonomical Revisions and Palynology. 1. Verbascum Thapslls and Celsia coromendaliana. in J. Sen Memorial Volume Bot. Soc. Beng. Calcutta: 183-190.

62. Vishnu-l\littre, Randhawa, l\1. S. etc. (1969). Evolution

IV ABSTRACT OF THESES

Contribution to the Upper Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous Flora 5 of India

M L. KAsAT

The Ihe~is is based on the study of some fossil plants from the Upper Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous of India. The fossils have been collected from the Rajmahal Hills (Bihar); Sehora and Marpiparia (Madhya I'n:desh) Kakadbhit, Chuneri, TrambauJ Khara river etc. (Kutch) and Darad (Kathiwar).

For the description of megafossils the thesis has been divided into four parts. The first part deals with the f Jlicales, hewing only two genera, viz. Todites Seward (19rO) and Cladophlebis Brongniart (1849) Todites is represented by only one species i. e. T indicus (Old. & Morr.) Bose and Sah (1968) and Cladophlebis by C. sp. cf. C. longipemlis Seward (1894) and C. salicifolia (Morris) n.

In the second part, Pachypteris illdica (Old. & MorL) Bose and Roy (1968), a Mesozoic pteridosperm, has been dealt with. In thi, species some new observations on the venation pattern of the pinnules have been made.

( 36 In the third part a new species of Doratophyllum Harri, (1932) has been described. The new species D. senii is based mainly on the cuticular structure.

The fourth part deals with a large number of Bcnneuilalean fronds and fertile organs. Among the leaves Ptilo/Jlryllum Morris (1840) and Dictyo<.amites O:dham (1863) have been described. The genu, Ptitoph)'llum is represented by 14 species which have been de~cribed under impressions, incrustations and petrifactions. Under imprc5sions four species viz. P. acutifolium Morris (18-10), P. cutchense ~dorris (1840), P. rarinervis (Feistrn.) n. comb. and P. tcmrrimum Feistmantel (1877) have been included. All lhese four specilS are based on external characters alone. Eight species based Oil cuticular structure have been described under incrustations. These are P. oldhamii Jacob & Jacob (1954), P. indicum Jacob & Jacob (19H), P. horridum Roy \ .963), P. sakrigaliCIIsis Sah (1958), P. distam (Feistmantel) Jacob & Jacob (1954), P. institacallum Bose (1959), P. jabalpurCl/se Jacob & Jacob (1954), P. gladiatuTll Bose and Sukh Dev (1958). The remaining species i. e. P. amarjolcnsc Bose (J953), P. salmii Gupta & Sharma (1968a) and P. nipaflica Vishnu-Mitlre (1957\ are preserved in the form of petrifactions. In these three species, be:;ides the surface characters, the anatomy of the fronds have been studied in detail.

The fertile organs comprise two genera, viz. Weltrichia Braun (1847) and IViliiamsonia Carr. (1870). The specimens of Weltrichia have been described as ~V. sp. because of the bad preservation. Williamsollia is represented by seven species. Out of these two species, viz., IV. senii n. sp and IV. salmii Gupta (1943) have been described in detail. The former is based on cuticular structure and the latter is based on external characters alone. The remaining five species are imperfectly presen'ed and hence described as JV. sp. A, }V. sp. B, W. sp. C. , IV. type I .nd IV. type 2

Contribution to the Indian Messozoic Palaeobotany

SIIYAM CHANDRA SRIVASVAVA

The present thesis deals with the mega-and microfossils from Nidpur, Gopad valley, Sidhi district, Madhya Pradesh, India. The

37 fossiis are preserved in carbonaceous shales and are preserved III the form of incrustation.

The thesis has b•...endivided into four parts. The first part deals with the introduclion, geology of the area, material and methods. In the introduclory chapter a brief :-ummary of the geological and palaeobotanical work, so far, done in India has been given. The description of the geology of the Nidpur fossiliferous locality, materia! and methods is based mainly on own observations.

In the second part the megafossils have been described. They have been classified as follows :-

1. Glossopteridales

2. Corystospermales

3. Plantae incertae sedis

The Glossopteridales is represented by six species of Glossopteris Sternberg and one species of Rhabdolaenia. Pant, Out of the species of Glossopteris, three are lIew and are baSEd on cuticular characters. They are G. nidpurensis, Gsenii and G. papillosa. The remaining three are based mainly on external characlers and their details are not known so well. They are here described as G. sp. A, G sp. Band G. sp. C. Among these the cuticle of G. sp. A, is fairly well preserved but the specimen is very incomplete.

The specimen of Rhabdolaenia described here are very fragmentary. But some of them have yielded good cuticular preparations. Based on the cuticular structure, these specimens have been described as Rhabdolaenia sp.

The Corystospermales includes two genera VIZ. Lepidopteris Schimper and Dicroidium Gothan. The former genus has only one species (L. indica sp. nov.) while the latter has four species D. nidpuretlsis sp. nov, j D. papillosurn sp. nov., D. gopadensis and D. sp. The new species of Lepidopteris is based 911 a single specimen. The species of Dicroidium have been instituted after studying the cuticular structure of more than four hundred specimens.

( 38 Uuder Plantae incertae sedis the following genera have been recorded.

l. Tamiopt8ris glandulata sp. novo -? Cycadales

2. Noeggcrathiopsis sp. -? Cordaitales

3. Conites sp. -? Coniferales

4. Glottolcpis rugosa gen. et. sp. novo - unknown affinity

Besides the above four genera a few fragmentary specimens have been described as "fragmentary conifer shoots" on cuticular features.

A large number of specimens of T glandulata have been collected but unfortunately in none of them the cuticle is well preserved. They have "gland-like bodies" between secondary veins. Specimens of Noeggerathiopsis are very fragmentary and have not yielded any cuticle at all. Conires sp. is an unusually large cone. Gloltolepis rugosa gen.et sp. novo is based on a large number of detached scale~leaves. They are very thick tonguepshaped and have rugose surface.

The third part describes the dispersed spores and pollen grains. They have been referred to 22 genera and 40 species. Out of these, 4 genera (Nidipollenitesj Satsangisaccitesj ~Veylandites and Praeeolpatites) and 18 species are new. The mioflora is constituted by two spore genera and 20 pollen genera. Amongst the latter, non-striated saccates are dominant,

In the fourth part the mega-and microfloral assemblages from Nidpur have heed compared with the various assemblages of Triassic age from both southern as well as nothern hemispheres.

On the evidence of mega-and microfossils, the fossiliferous beds at Nidpur are supposed to he of LO'A-erTriassic age and are considered slightly younger in age than the Pan.chet Stage. The most characteristic feature of the Nidpur f1()f{l is the overwhelming dominance of the genus Dicroidium.

39 Stratigraphical and pollen analytical studies of the Interglacical deposits of Nichahom and the adjacent areas in the Kashmir Valley

R. D. ROBERT

Part I of the Thesis deals with the two of the fundamental problems in Quaternary Palynology; one, the studies of pollen content of moss cushions, surface and sub-surface samples in relation to the composition of the forest; two, the correlation of pollen content with megafossils in the plant bearing lower Karewa s:ediments. It has been found that high concentrations of pine pollen, insect pollination of several species and the biotic pressure on ground vegetation obtained in the Kashmir Valley vitiate modern pollen spectra through over-and under-represen tation of pollen grains and the composition of the forest communities is not adequately reflected by them. AP{NAP ratio can hardly be used as a measure for the correct position of forest cover. The differential pollen production, the direction and velocity of upthermic winds, and diseases strongly affect the production and dissemination of pollen grains. The subfossil pollen content shows considerable difference from the composition of forest inferred from leaf impressions chiefly because of local and regional representations of either of the two botanical evidences. It has been suggested that both the pollen content and leaf impressions should be considered together for the reconstruction of past vegetation. A reinvestigation of the megafossils has re.vealed that the leaf impres'3ions referred to Odi,la, rVoodfordia, Mallotus and Ulmus are idcntil1able with leaves of Holoptelea,Salix, Celtis and Corylus respectively. Part II deals with the stratigrapy and pollen analyses of the sedi• ments. The stratigraphical data have largely been borrowed from the Geological Survey of India. The recent discovery by the author of thick deposit of cemented conglomera'e and sand overlying the lower lignite towards southeast of the Nichahom plateau has made possible the correlation of Tichahom lignitic deposits with similar deposits at Laredura and the other sites. The lignite in this region has been found to have originated from sedgepeat in silu.

Owing to the meagre data, the palynologic;:"!]correlation of lignitic deposits has not been possible as desired. The pollen stra1igrapy at

40 Nichahom reveals fiuctuations in conifer mixed broad-leaved temperate forests with relatively changing proponion of the broad· leaved forest comprised by oaks and Corylus. The working Hypothesis of three-fold vegetational sequence has also been critically examined, and the candidate does not regard this division as established. The sequence is referred to I interglacial.

The work has further revealed that quite a few species of eastern Himalaya flourished in the Kashmir Valley during the I Interglacial. Their absence today from the Kashmir Valley must have resulted from the climatic and physiographical changf.s since the deposition of the Lower Karewas. Rhus and Corylus were fairly abundant in the Vegeta .. tion of the I Interglacial but are infrequent today in the Kashmir Valley and hence the compLsition of the Interglacial forests was much different from that of comparable forests obtained in the state today.

V FIELD WORK

Karanpura CoalJied

Two members each of the Palaeozoic and Coal departments visited the South KaranpurJ. coalfield under B.lrakar project scheme. A complete succession was covered in this area for meg lfossils, microfossils and sedimentary petrological sampling. Outcrops were collected in sequence from traverse in Marmara Nala and Nakkari Nala. The coal samples and m~gafussils were collected from ten different seams for detail sampling.

A systematic and sequential collection of coal and associated shales, sandstones etc., from me:1.5ured sections in South Karanpura Coalfield wa; undertaken in collaboration with N. C. D. C. Samples were collected from Argada Sector, Gidi Sector ( A. B. C.) Urimari Block, Marmara Nala and Nakkari Nala. 209 samples for palynological investigation were collected from the coalfield.

Vindhyans nnd Mahanadi Valley

Collected several samples of Vindhyan formations at and around Mahiar in r-..1adhya Pradesh. A large collection of Glossopteris, Sphen• opteris, Schi?;.1fl!lUa R1l'lig mjia and several GloSJoplrris sea 'e leaves were

41 collected from a thick bed of hard, compact, buff colour clayey shales exposed in a road cutting and Hinjrida Ghati near Handappa in the Dhenkanal district of Orissa.

Ranigan} Coalfield

Several good specimens of Sphenopteris, Alethopteris, Sphenophyllum, Phyllotheca and a rarely known genus Stella theca were collected.

Panchet of Ranigan} & Deobar

Near "Neel" factory species of Schi<.ontura, Glossopteris and Samaropsis were collected. Besides these a large number of samples were also collected for microfloral study.

Fragmentary specimens of Schi.e,oneura, Glossopteris, Noeggerathiopsis and Dicroidium were collected from Deobar area in the Auranga river.

Upper Jurassic of Ra}mahal

Collections were made from Amarjola, Chilgojuri, Nipania, Khatangi hill, Kolajora, Kasamau, Sitalpur, Danowara, Pathargama, Sakrigalighat) Bindaban, 1vfandro, Basgo Bedo and Onthea.

From Pathargama a rich cellection of Thinnfeldia-like leaves, along with some fructifications, were made. From Basgo Bedo a very rich collection of Dictyozamites was made.

Assam

A systematic and sequential collection of coal and associated shales was made from deep as well as strip mines in Namdang. Baragolai. Ledo and Tipang areas of Upper Assam. About 190 samples have been collected from measured sections and useful geological d lte about [hem collected and verified.

Two members of the Oil departm~nt visited Assam. The main object of the visit was to have discussions with the Chief Geologist, Limited) Duliajan, on matters of mutual interest. This visit was also utilized for the selection of palynological Qriented surface and sub• !urface samples from Oil India's coilections.

42 Digboi oilfield was also visited for the collection of surface samples from Girujan Clay Stage. On way back collections were made from the Jowai -Badarpur Road Section. This section exposes rocks rang• ing from Sylhet Limestone Stage (Middle Eocene) to Boka-Bil Slage (Miocene). Other sections visited were (l) Pynursla-Thanjinag• Punktung Section (2) Cherra·Shella road Section; (1) Therriaghat river Section. All the above three sections were visited for the Cretaceous-Eocene boundary problem.

A party from the'rertiary department and Herbarium went to Assam to collect the Palynological ~amples from the collieries near Margherita. During this tour they also collected leaf-impressions from the Oligocene of Tikakparvat Stage, and fossil woods from the Nam• sang beds near Deomali. Modern plants were also collected from near Deomali for comparative studies

Mad/I)'a Pradesh

The N.C.D.C. offered us a full core from a deep boring in for palynological investigation. 145 samples were collected from various litho units including those of thin coal seams extending from the Barakar Stage down to the Talchir Boulder Bed. Besides these the C.F.R.I. made 8 overall samples from the coalseams of the same bore core, available to us.

North Western India

In January 1970 two members of the Department of Mesozoic Palaeobotany, two of Tertiary Palaeobot<1ny and one of the Department of Oil Palynology went on a joint excursion to the important Mesozoic and Tertiary sedimentary exposures of Gujarat. Saurashtra and Kutch. The main purpose of this excursion was to make extensive fossil collec• tion from the known localities of this region and to explore as many new fossil localities as possible. Another object was to collect surface samples from well exposed measured sections and road traverses for palynological investigation.

On way to GujaratJ the party collected leaf-impressions from a tufaceous rock which was supposed to be Pliocene in age, but on exa• mination was found to be Recent. A rich collection of Lower Creta-

43 ceous plant fossilswas made (rom a sandstone member near Himatnagar, a well kn0wn Mesozoic locality. SevE-ral outcrop samples were collected from Miocene beds exposed near Bhavnagar, Verawal and Bhatia. Near Dwarka there are a number of exposed section of the Dwarka bed~. Samples for palynological study were collected from two of the best exposures.

A rich ~1esozoic fossil collection was made from the area around Than. A number of megafo5sils, previously not known from this locality, were collected during the detailed survey of this area.

In Kutch Tertiary fossil woods were collected from a locality a few km. cast ofBhuj, and another

Gaiarat and Rajasthan

Visited Than and adjacent localities in Gujarat where drilling operat:ons through the Laki ~ediments were in progress. The object of the visit was to collect core samples from 12 bore-holes that were drilled by the Directorate of Geology and r..1ining.lGovernment of Gujaral. Collected surface ~ample from the Mesozoic and Lower Tertiary sediments for palynological study from Barmer, KaJyatji, Rampur and Jaisalmer in Rajasthan. More than 200 samples from 5 mesaured sections were collected.

Bomba.y and CIlUack The fie:d work was carried out at Bombay in collaboration with tht rata Institute of Fundamental Research to collect data for investi• gations unuer the col!abarative research ploject betv·;een the department of Quaternary Palaeobotany and department of Geopbysics ofTata Institute.

Studies of river terraces and stone tools along the Vaitarna and Dehisar Rivers wer..::carried out. Evidences of two terraces and a few flakes were obtained. Besides the studies of mangrove vegetationJ

(44 extensive borings and diggings were carried out at Manori 1sland, Aksa, BoriviJIi, Erangal, Bassein~Naigaon and Madh-Bandholi areas and samples collected for pollen analysis and radio-carbon dating.

At Cuttack spikelets of wild rices were collected from the Central Rice Research Instilute as well as these and marsh samples were collected from the swamps bearing wild rices for investigation. Himachal Pradesh

Pollen analytical materials and lam pies for radiacarbon dating were collected from Khajiar and Rewalsar. Stratigraphy of these swamps was also carried out.

Rajasthan, Haryalla & Punjab

A large number of surface samples were collected from these States for pollen analysis and comparison with the present day plant com· munities.

VI. TRAINING PROVIDED TO OUTSIDERS

Training was provided in techniques and research to the following persons:

Mr. A. A. l\1oiz, Lecturer in Geology, Osmania University. Coals of Godavari Valley. (For Ph. D. thesis).

Mr. Ram Chandra, Research Scholar, Geology Department Banaras Hindu University. Coals of Wardha Valley (For Ph. D. thesis).

Mr. M. Z. Patel, Research Scholar, Institute of Sciences, Nag-pur. Techniques and consultation of literature.

VII. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO OUTSIDERS

Age determination of samples Director ~I.lusee' Royal De l' K, - K,o from Congo. Centrale, Tervuren, Belgium.

Age determination of samples Director, Geological Survey of KA, and LA, from Assam. India, Assam Circle, Shillong. 45 40 thin sections of hard rock Department or Geology, Delhi samples. University.

For pollen analysis. Archaeologi• Pruf(·~s(.r Allchin, Cambridge. cal samples from Ialwan.

Samples for identification. Professor Gaur, Department of ,\rchacology, Aligarh ~IusJim Uni• vf'rsity.

Samples for identification. Prof. S. B. Deo, Department of Archaeology, Nagpur University.

For pollen analysis, samples from Dr. Nicholson. Mangalore.

For pollen analysis. samples from !\Ir. S. K. Gupta, Tata Institute Kutch and Nallakes. of Fundamental Research, Bom• bay.

For identification of charcoal Tata Instit.ute of Fundamental samples from various archaeo• Research, Bombay. logical si les.

Advice on specific identification Mr. M. K. Vaid, Forest Re• by pollen. 4 sample; of pollini• search Institute Dehradun. ferous material of Solanum spp. from field and herbarium.

For identification and C 14dating. Forest Research Institute, Dehra A sample of living wood believed Dun. to be 5000 years old.

VIII. SPO:'

The following research projects have been undertaken by the Department of Coal Palaeobotany with different universities and insti• tions.

1. Palyno-petro-stratigraphical studies of the Lower Gondwana coals and a::soeiated deposits with Coal Division of the Geological Survey of India (in collaboration with the Palaeozoic department).

46 2. Palynology and study of physical constituents of coals with the Central Fuel Research Institute, Jealgora.

3. Palyno-petrology of Wardha Valley coals with Geology Depart• ment, Banaras Hindu University.

4. Palynology of Godavari Valley coals with Geology depart• ment, Osmania University.

5. Palyno-petrology of Kutch lignites with State Geological Survey of Gujrat.

6. Palyno-petro-stratigraphical studies of Neyveli lignite deposits with Neyveli Lignite Corporation of India.

7. Palaeo·ecology and pollen+spore floras of Upper-Cretaceous (Mancos) coal beds of Utah, U.S.A. with Geology department of Michi• gan State University, U.S.A.

The following research projects have been undertaken by the department of Quaternary Palaeobotany with universities and insti· tutions :

B. History of post glacial vegetation and climate of Rajasthan desert with Centre for Climatic Research, University of Wisconsin, U.S.A. (The scheme ended on 28.2.,0).

9. Vegetational history and environmental archaeology of Marwe• Madh In Bombay and Kutch with Tata Institute of Fundamental Research

10. Pollen allergy with Departments of Pharmacology and Tuber· culosis of the King George ~1edical College, Lucknow.

The following research project has been undertaken by the depart• ment of Oil Paly"ology:

47 11. Palyno-stratigraphical studies of sub-surface and SoUl face sam• ples from Makum-Namdang-Ledo-jaipur anticlive-Lahorkatiya and Dwarmam areas for age determination, correlation, environmental and Oil migration problems for Oil India Ltd., Duliajan, Assam.

IX. PAPERS AND LECTURES AT SYMPOSIA/CONFERENCES/ MEETINGS ETC.

Papers

Glossopterid fructifica- Dr. K. R. Surange 22nd Scientific Mee• tions from the Lower ting Palaeobotanical Gondwanas of India. Society.

Tertiary flora of India Dr. R. N. Lakhanpal XI International and their bearing on the Botanical Congress historical geology of the Symposium on the region. Interfaces between Botany & Geology at Seattle, U.S.A.

The elaters in the An• Dr. D. C. Bharadwaj Seminar on Morpho• thocerotales. logy Anatomy and Embryology of Land Plants at Delhi Uni• versity.

The Cycado Ginkgopsid " " pollen grains.

Palyno-stratigraphy uf Dr. D. C. Bharadwaj Symposium on Gon• Lower Gondwana seq• dwana, Geology De• uence in India. partment, Aligarh Mu~lim University.

Weltrichia sanlalensis and Dr. M. N. Bose and 22nd Scientific Meet· other benneUitalean male Dr. R. V. Sitholey ing Palaeobotanical fructifications from India. Society.

Ancient food economy in Dr. Vishnu-Mittre II[ International India with remarks on Conference on Asian the Aryan hypothesis. Archaeology, Colo• mbo, Ceylon.

48 Botanical material and Dr. Vishnu.~littre IllI International methods in archaelogy. Conference on Asian Archaeology Colo• mho, Ceylon.

Environmental back• Dr. Vishnu-Mittre II International ground to the Neolithic• Conference on Asian Chalcolithic complex in Archaeology. N.W. India.

Palaeobotanical evidence Dr. Vishnu-Mittre Sympo,ium on Crop for the history of cultivat• Plant Evolution, In .. ed plants of India. dian Society ofGene· tics, I.A.R.1. Delhi.

Palynological interpreta• Dr. S. C. D. Sah & 22nd Scientific Meet• tion of palaeo-environ• Dr. R. K. Kar ing, Palaeobotanical ments. Society.

Cretaceous microplank• Dr. S. C. D. Sah, 22nd Scientific Meet· tons from Therriaghat, Dr. R.K. Kar & ing, Palaeobotanical Shillong Plateau. Dr. R. Y. Singh Society.

Devonian miospores from Dr. K. M. Lele 22nd Scientific Meet• Czechoslovakia. ing, Palaeobotanical Society.

Wood anatomy of Gink- Dr. Uttam Prakash Seminar on Morpho• goalell. logy. Anatomy and Embryology of Land Plants at Delhi Uni· versity.

Wood anatomy of Indian Dr. Uttam Prakash St'minar on Morpho• Terminalias. jointly with]. C. Sri· logy, Anatomy and vastava. Embryology of Land Plants at Delhi Uni• venity.

Degradation of woody Dr. G. K. B. Navale 22nd Scientific Meet• tissue <\nd its relation to ing, Palaeobotanical origin of coal. Society.

49 Palynology of the Jabal- Dr. H. P. Singh 22nd Scientific Meet• pur Series. ing, Palaeobotanical Society.

Origin of floating islands Dr. G. Singh and 22nd Scientific Meet· in the lakes of Khajiar C. Sharma ing, Palaeobotanical and Rewalsar in Hima- Society. chal Pradesh.

Noeggeralhiopsis a Glos- Dr. P. K. Maithy 22nd Scientific Meet• sopterid or Cordaitalean ing, Palaeobotanical form? Society.

Palynological interpreta- Dr. R. K. Kar Seminar at the Cen• tions of palaeoenviron- tre of Advance Study ments with reference to in Geology, Punjab India. University, Chandi• garh.

Pollen analysis of Upper Dr. H. P. Gupta 22nd Scientific Meet• Pleistocene samples from ing, Palaeobotanical Tochlai, Assam. Society.

A new sp~cies of Bara- Dr. S. Kulkarni 22nd Scientific Meet• karoxylon. ing, Palaeobotanical Society.

Acritaelis from U lnaria Mr. Anil Chandra 22nd Scientific Meet• Marine beds. ing, Palaeobotanical Society.

Palynology of Hol.plelea. Miss Asha Khandel• 22nd Scientific Meet• wal ing, Palaeobotanical Society. Lectures

Tertiary floras of India. Dr. R. N. Lakhanpal Botany Department, Lucknow University.

Lower Gondwana Flora. Dr. D. C. Bharadwaj Botany Depntment, Lucknow University.

50 Fossil floras of the Dr. M. N. Bose Botany Department, Upper Gondwana of In• Lucknow, Univer· dia wi th special reference sity. to the Rajmahal hills.

History of cultivated Dr. Vishnu-Mittre Botany Department, PJants, Lucknow University.

Plant fossils, kinds pre- Dr. Vishnu-Mittre Botany Department, servation and meth'Jds of Gauhati University, study and dating. GauhatiJ Assam. Origin of life and early " " land plants.

Pro-gymnosperm and Pte• " " ridosperms.

Origin and evolutionary •• " history of Cycadophytes.

Origin and evolutionary " ,. history of Angiosperms.

Origin and evolutionary " " history of Conifers.

Palynology. " "

Ecological and philoso• •• " phical consideration.

Introduction to Palaeo- Dr. S. C. D. Sah Geology Depart• botany. menl, Delhi Univer .. sity, Delhi.

Important Palaeozoic, •• " Mesozoic and Tertiary fossils.

Important fossil flora of " " India.

( 51 Plant evolution, palaeo- Or. S. C. D. Sah Geology Deport. environments and palaeo- ment, Delhi Univer• geography. sity, Delhi

Palaeobotany as an aid •• " to economic geology.

Introduction to Palaeo• •• Department of Geol. botany. and Cen,re of Ad• vance study in Geo· logy, Punjab Univer• sity, Chandigarh.

Stratigraphy and impor• " " tant fossil floras of India.

Plant e\'olution, migra• " " tion and distribution. Plan ts as ind ica tions of " " environments.

Relationship of palaec• " " botany to stratigraphy.

Palynology-a new tool •• " in oil exploration.

Role of Palynology In Oil •• Oil India Ltd., exploration. Duliajan, Assam.

Plant evolution, palaeo• •• ,. geography and palaeo• environment.

Palynology as a '001 for " Geology Depar,- Economic Geology. ment Gauhati University, Gauhati.

Following lectures were delivered at the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany by Professor O.A. H¢eg, Emeritus Professor University of Oslo, Norway.

52 } (aJ The Arctic World-its past and present-17th Sir Albert • Charles Seward M( morial Lecture.

(b) The Psilophytales-before and after 1960-Part 1.

(c) The Psilophytales-before and after 1960-Part II.

Id) The Norwegian flora - facts and problems.

X. DEPUTATION/TRAINING/STUDY ABROAD

Dr. K. R. Surange Moscow and Leningrad, U.S.S. R. to see palaeobotanical work being carried out in Universities and In• stitution of U.S.S.R., under Indo• Soviet Cultural Exchange Pro• gramme (28.3.70-14.5.70).

Dr. R. N. Lakhanpal S,atll" U.S.A. to attend the XI International Botanical Congress and take part in a sympo3ium rcInterfaces between Botany and Geology". (24.8.69-2.9.70).

Dr. Vishnu-Mittre Colombo, Ceylon to altend II Inter• national Conference on Asian Archaeology (21.8.69-27.8.69).

Dr. liukh Dev Moscow, Leningrad and Taskhan' US.S.R., to study Mesozoic flora. of Russia, under Indo-Soviet Cul• tural Exchange programme. (28. 3.70-21.6.70).

Dr. N. Awaslhi Moscow and Leningard, U.S.S.R., to study Tertiary floras of Russia, under Indo-Soviet Culture Ex... change Programme (28.3.70• 14-6.70).

53 Dr. H. K. Maheshwari Columbus, U.S.A. at Coal Geology Laboratory, U.S. Geological Sur• vey, Ohio State University/United Nations Development Programmef Palaeozoic Palaeobotany.

Dr. K. P. Jain Paris, France at Laboratoire de Mic· ropalaeontologie!French Govern• ment Scholarship/Advance study in microplanktons in oil explora. lion.

Xl. HONOURS & AWARDS

Dr. K. R. Surange Fellow of the National Institute of of Sciences of India.

Dr. M. N. Bose Correspondant (Foreign Member) de la Classe des Sciences naturel• les de l' Academic royale des Sciences d' Outre· Mer (Belgium).

Mr. M. L. Kasal Ph. D., Lucknow University, ((Contribution to the Upper Juras• sic and Lower Cretaceous Flora'S India".

Mr. Shyam Chandra Srivastava Ph. D., Lucknow University, "Contributions to the Indian Mesozoic Palaeobotany.

Mrs. R. Robert Ph. D., Lucknow University "Stratigraphical and pollen ana· lytical studies of the Interglacial deposits of Nichahom and the adjacent areas in the Kashmir Valley".

( 54 ) XII. FOUNDERS DAY

As usual the Founders Day was celebrated on 14th November 1969, the birth· day of Professor Birbal Sahni, F.R.S., the Founder of the Institute.

In the morning wreaths and flowers were placed on the Samadhi of Professor Birbal Sh ani

At the evening's function Prof. M. B. Lal, Vice-Chancellor, Luck· now University was the Chief Guest. Professor T. S. Sadasivan Chair• man, Birbal Sahni institute of Palaeobotany welcomed Professor M. B. Lal, Professor Hegand other guests. After the learned address of the Chief Guest, Professor O. A. IIeg, Emeritus Professor, University of Oslo, Norway delivered the XVII Sir Albert Charles Seward Memorial Lecture on "The Arctic World-its past and presene'. Dr. K. R. Surange, Director, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany propoled the vote of thanks to the Chief Guest, Professor O. A. H¢eg and other guests.

XIII. REPESENTATION ON COMMITTEES/BOARDS

Dr. K. R. Surange ~1emberJ Executive Committee, World Organiza tion of Palaeo• botany.

Member, International Commit• tee for Palaeobotanical Nomen• culure.

Secretary, Editorial Board "The Palaeobotanist.

Member, Executive Council, The Palaeobotanical Society. Dr. R. N. Lakhanpal Chief Editor, Palaeobotanical So• ciety.

t..1ember, Executive Council, TheJ Palaeobotanical Society. 55 Member) Editorial Board, Palaeo• botanical Society. Dr. D. C. Bharadwaj Member, International Commitee on Palynology.

Secretary, Sub-commission on spores, International Commiuion on Palaeozoic Microfloras.

Convener for Permian Strati· graphy in the International Com· mission on Palaeozoic Microfloras.

Member, International Sub-com· mission on Carboniferous strati• graphy of 1.V.G.S.

Secretary, Palaeobotanical Society.

Member, Editorial Boards, of "Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology", "The Palaeobota· nist" .

Dr. M. N. B03e Vice-President, J. Sen Memorial Committee.

Member, Editorial Board HThe Palaeobotanist" .

Member, Executive Council, the Palaeontological Society of India.

Member, Executive Council, Th. Palaeobotanical Society. Dr. Vishnu-Miure Member, Indian Radio-carbon Dating Committee, Tala Funda· mental Research Institute. Bom• bay.

56 r..1ember, Executive CounciJ, [no dian Archaeological Society.

Member, Executive Council, Qua· ternary Research Society of India.

Member, Executive Council, The Palaeobotanical Society.

Dr. S. C. D. Sah joint·Secretary, The Palaeobotani· cal Society.

Dr. G. K. B. Navale Member, International Committee on Coal Petrology.

Member, International Coal No• menclatural Commission.

Member, International Lignite Nomenclatural Commission.

Member, International Liginite and Coal Analysis Commission.

Member, National Committee of Coal Petrology.

XIV. PUBLICATIONS

J. The Journal - The Palaeohotauist.

During the year following Numbers of The Palaeobotanist were published.

(a) Numbers 1,2 and 3 of the Volume 17.

(b) Number I of Volume 18.

(c) Numbers 2 and 3 or Volume 18 were sent to the pre~~.

57 Seward Mernorial Lecture.

XVI Sir Albert Charles Seward Memorial Lecture on "Role of Palaeobotany in Indian Geology" delivered by Mr. G. C. Chatterjee, Retired Director·General of the Geological Survey of India was printed. Sale

During 1969-70, an income of Rs. 35,000/- was registered from the sale proceeds of the Institute's publications. This sum includes the following foreign exchange earned through the sale of the publications: USS 2,645.00 DM 407.88 £ 78.06 XV. LIBRARY Books

Number of Books added during the year. 96 Total number of books as on 31.3.7') 2,346 Journals

Number of issues of Journals received during the year 372 Total number of issues of Journals as on 31.3.70 2,790 New Journals subscribed 4 Reprints

Number of reprints recieved during the year 918 Total number of reprints as on 31.3.1970 18,085 Microfilms

Total number of micro·films as on 31.3.1970 153 Exchange

~umber of papers purchased for exchange 56 Total number of reprinfs sent out on exchange 7,434 Number of individuals on exchange 198 Number of Institutions on exchange 52

58 11 complete sets af reprints of Professor B. Sahnl were sent to institutions.

Request for exchange received from the following:

(i) Chef du Department Documentation, Bureau de Recherches Geologique et Miners, Orleans, France.

(Ii) Institulo de Geologia Applicada, Oviedo, Spain. (iii) Texas Research Foundation, Texas.

(iv) Library, Institute of Geology, University Strassbourg, France in exchange with their publication "Bull. de service de. la Carte Geol de Alsace et de Lorraine".

(v) Geographical Institute of Bonn University, Germany.

(vi) Natural History Museum Bagdad, Iraq.

A number of research students and scientists from various universities and Institutions, who visited the Institute took opportunity to consult the latest literature in the Library. Books and Journals were loaned to Geological Survey of India, Northern Circle, Botany Departments of Lucknow, Calcutta, Kalyani, Panjab universities and National Botanical Gardens, Lucknow.

New arrivals were displayed in the library 0n every Monday.

XVI. MUSEUM E.•hihition halls

Total number of specimens displayed in the halls 845

Twenty battery operated hand magnifiers (7 x) were provided for some specimens.

New lables were introduced for many specimens. The lighting arrangements of the geological map in relief were set right. Fossil store-room

Catalogued specimens as on 31.3.70 34,024 Specimens from foriegn countries as on 31.3.70 50H

59 Number of type and figured specimens as on 31.3.70 1,260902 Number of figured slides as on 31.3.70 4,0272,1238893282,8781,251971 of Number of negatives as on 313.70 870 New additions made during the year. A total number localities have been traversed by the staff.

Palaeozoic specimens Mesozoic specimens Tertiary specimens Coal samples Oil sample, Quaternary samples

Thirty six flourescent tubes were fitted in basement store room. Specimens were presented to the following institutions:

(i) Kalyani University, Kalyani.

(ii) University College of Scierce Calcutta University, Calcutta.

(iii) Department of Geophysics and Geology, University of Roorkee.

(iv) Director, Geology & Mining, Shillong.

(v) Department of Botany, University of Delhi.

(vi) Department of Botany, University of Burdwan.

XVII. HERBARIUM Woods

New wood sample3 added during the year. 364 TOlal number of wood samples as on 31.3.70 2,187 rotal number of wood slides other slides 1,499 Other slide 4,632

Fruits and .eeds

New fruit and seed samples added durir.g the year 72 Total number of fruits and seed, a, on 31.3.70 618

60 ) Herbarium specimens New herbarium specimens added during the year Total number of herbarium specimens as cn 31.3.70 4.557 Pollen slides New pollen slides added during the year 34 Total number of pollen slides as on 31.3.70 7,5tO Exchange Woods specimens received from Dr. W.R. Muller-Stoll G.D.R. 4 The Director, ~1usee' Royal de l' Afrique Centrale 21 The Director, Service Florestal, Sao Paulo) Brazil 30 The D!rector, Instituto Florestal, Madrid 26 Wood specim.ens sent to The Director, Musee' Royal de l' Afrique Centrale, Belgium 77 Wood .lides .ent The Forest Research Institute, Dehra Dun 17 General Herbarium sheets which required poisoning or change were poisoned and replaced. A pari y collected 205 plant specimens and 5 fruit and seed specimens. Fruits, seed, cones and other plant material which were collected by the staff were received in the herbarium. Correspondence was initiated regarding exchange of fruit. and seed with in'Stitutions in foreign countries. XVIII. BUILDING

During the year following constructions were undertaken: Kitchen for the Visiting Scientists rooms.

Glazing of the veranda on the east side of the administrative building for providing space to the staff. Construction of a water channel from the tube well.

Distempering of the main hall, Library, Museum and some laboratories was also carried out.

( 61 XIx:. VISITORS

Distinguished persoDs

Dr. K. Nakazawam, 12.8.1969 Kyoto University, Japan.

Dr. Y. Nogauni, Kyoto University, Japan 17.8.1969

Mr. K. N. Mehta, Oil India Ltd. 13.10.1969

Dr. John C. Brown 3.11.1969 Issoa Plant Industry Station, Beltsvilla Md.

Professor and Mrs. Ove Arho H¢eg, 13.11.1969 Oslo Norway

Dr. N. Mahdi, Director, National 24.2.1969 History Museum, Baghdad, Iraq

Educational and other InstilutiODS

Students and teachers of the following institution visited the Museum and the Institute:

Departm~nt of Botany, University of Delhi.

Department of Botany, Karnatak University.

Department of Museology, University of Calcutta.

Department of Botany, Ranchi University.

Department of Botany, Arya Vidyapith, Gauhati. Department of Botany, University of Jodhpur

College of Science, Raipu~.

Physics Department, I.I.T., Kanpur.

62 XX. THE GOVERNING BODY AND THE FINANCE COMMITTEE

The Governing Body

Chairman

Profeslor T. S. Sadasivan, Director, Centre for Advanced Studies in Mycology & Plant Pathology, University Botany Laboratory, Madras-5

Members

Mrs. Savitri Sahni, 686, Birbal Sahni Marg, Lucknow (For her life time). Dr. R. V. Sitholey, Assistant Director, National Botanic Gardens, Lucknow

Professor S. C. Agarwala, Head of the Botany Department, Lucknow University, Lucknow.

Dr. S. K. Mukherjee, Director, Botanical Survey of India, Calcutta-l3

Professor A. G. ]hingran, Head of the Geology Department, Delhi University, Delhi-7.

Mr. M. S. Balasundram, Director· General, Geological Surveyor India, Calcutta-I 3

63 ) Professor D. D. Pant, Head of the Botany Department, Allahabad University Allahabad

Mr. L. S. Chandrakant, Joint Educational Adviser to the Government of India, Ministry of Education and Youth Service!, New Delhi

Professor A. R. Rao, No.2, XI Main Road, rrlrd Block, East Jayanagar, Bangalore-II

Professor Sripadrao Kilpady 1-2-8/8, Street No. I, Himayat Nagar P.O., Hyderabad-29

Professor K. R. Surange, Director, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, Lucknow (Member-Secretary)

Mr. R. K. Khare, Registrar. Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, Lucknow (Non-Member Assistant Secretary)

Finance Committee

Chairman

Professor T. S. Sadasivan, Director, Centre for Advanced Stud ie, in Mycology & Plant Pathology, University Botany Laboratory, Madras·S

(64 Members

Professor S. C. AganvaJa, Head of the Botany Department, Lucknow University, Lucknow

Professor K. R. Surange, DireclOr, Birbal Sahni Institute of Paiaeobotany, Lucknow

XXI. THE STAFF Director

Professor K. R. Surange, M.Sc., PhD. (Lucknow) Ph.D. (Cantab), F.N.A.Sc., F.N.I. Departmellt of Palaeozoic Palaeobotaoy Dr. K. M. Lele, M.Sc., Ph.D. Dr. P. K. Maithy, M.Sc., Ph.D. Dr. H. K. Maheshwari, M.Sc., Ph.D. Dr. t\liss Shaila Kulkarni, M.Sc., Ph.D. :\Irs. Rehana Makada, M.Sc. Mr. Anif Chandra, M.Sc.

Oepartmeot of Mesozoic Palaeobotany

Dr. ~1.N. Bose, ~I.Sc., Ph. DJ• Correspondant del' ArsolTI, Head Dr. Sukh Dev, M. Sc. (Hons.) Ph. D. (Lucknow), Ph. D. (Reading). Dr. M. L. Kasat, M Sc, Ph. D. Dr. Shyam Chandra Srivastava, M. Sc., Ph. D. Mi" J. Banerjee, M. Sc (Research Scholar) Department of Tertiary Palaeobotany Dr. R. N. Lakhanpal, M.Sc., Ph.D., F.B.S., F.N.A. Sc. Dr. U. Prakash, M.Sc., Ph.D. Dr. )/. Awasthi, M.Sc., Ph.D. Miss S. Pant, M.Sc. (Research Scholar)

65 Departm.ent of Coal Palaeobotany Dr. D. C. Bharadwaj, M. Sc. Ph. D. (Lucknow), Dr. rer. Nat. (Bonn). F. B. S. Head, Dr. G. K. B. Navale, ~l. Sc. Ph. D., F. G. S , F G. M. S. Dr. Haripall Singh M. Sc., Ph. D. Dr. R. S. Tiwari, M. Sc. Ph. D. Dr. Suresh Chandra Srivastava, M. Sc., Ph. D. Mr. Anand Prakash, ~l. Sc. Mr. Pramod Kumar J\L Sc. Mr. B. K. Misra, ~I. Sc. (Research Scholar) Department of Quaternary Palaeobotany

Dr. Vishnu-Mittre, M. Sc., Ph. D. (Lucknow), Ph. D. (Can lab) Head, Dr. Gurdip Singh, M. Sc. Ph. D. (Lucknow), Ph, D. (Belfast). Dr. H. P. Gupta, ~l. Sc., Ph. D. Dr. (Mrs.) R. Robert, M. Sc., Ph. D. Mr. R. D. Joshi, M. Sc. Mrs. Chhaya Sharma, M. Sc. Miss Asha Khandelwal, ~l. Sc. (Research Scholar)

Project on History of Post-glacial Vegetation and Climate of the Rajasthan D\hrt (Upto 28.2.70). Miss S. Chopra, M. Sc. Mr. A. B. Singh, M. Sc. :'vliss Sushma Pant, M. Sc. Miss ~l. Choudhry, B. Sc., J. T. A. Department of Oil Palynology Dr. S. C. D. Sah, M. Sc., Ph. D. Head Dr. K. P. Jain. M. Sc., Ph. D. Dr. R. K. Kar, M. Sc., Ph. D. Mr. R. Y. Singh, M Sc. Administration

Mr. R. K. Khare (Registrar) ~rr.V. P. Gulati (Deputy Registrar.

66 Ir. S. D. Mehtani (Office AssiSlant) 11r. S. K. Suri (Stenographer) Mr. S. P. Chadha (P. A. to Director;. Mr. H. S. Srivastava) U. D. C.) Mr. Bhagwan SlIlgh (U. D. C.). l\1rs. P. K. Srivastava (Receptionist) Mr. Ramesh Chandra (L. D. C.) Accounts

:\lr. Ghanshyam Singh (Accounts Officer). Mr. S B. Verma (Accountant) Mr. T. N. Shukla lU. D. C) Mr. B. K. Jain (U. D. C.) Mr. 1. J. Mehra (L. D. C.) Mr. N. N. Jo>hi (L. D. C.)

Publication

Mr. N. N. Moitra (Publication Incharge)

Library

MI". J. N. Nigam (Library Assistant) l\Iuseum

Mr. T. S. Mohan Shanker (~Iuseum Assistant) Mr. N. C. Saxena (Junior Musl::um Assistant) Harbarium

Mr. G. P. Srivastava (Herbarium [ncbarge) r..Ir. J. C, Srivastava (Herbarium Assistant) Miss Shikha Bose (Heroarium Assistanl) Laboratory Services

~1r.R. C. Gupta (junior Technical Assistant) l\Ir. ::\. K. Khasnavis (Laboratory Assistant)

Photography & Drawing Mr. M. N. Takru (Artist) Mr. B. N. Bose (Photographer)

67 XXII BUDGET 1969-70

Head Actual Expenditure (Rupees in lakh. 27.1. Plan appx.

(i) R"urrin.~

Pay of Establishment 0.002 D. P. of Establishment 0.001 Allowances & Honoraria 0.001 Contingencies 0.212

Total 0.216

(ii) Capital

Apparatus & Equipment 0.641 Service Ancillary to research 0.113 Bui Iding & Grounds 0.076 Furniture & olhers requirements 0.080

Total 0.910

Grand Total 1.126

27.2. Non-plan

Recurring

Pa y of Officers 1.942 D. P. of Officers 0.046 Pay of Establishment 1.461 D. P. of Establishment 0.161 Allowances & Honoraria 1.348 Provident Fund Contribution 0.343 Contingencit=s 1.138 Maintenance 0.054 Chemical and apparatus 0.109

Total 6.607

68